Home Energy Magazine's Posts - Home Energy Pros2016-12-10T03:22:08ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazinehttp://api.ning.com:80/files/bkp*9IZpFzdNnrLoWbwBrz93IH2o9h4qdByt4RPt9x497DWJ1sx9kt8SvzrKz0QSZNnFCKDzzObxDh8LPlh0EYtql4O8rzFe/rsz_logo.jpg?width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profiles/blog/feed?user=3rw7fwiq2bq5y&xn_auth=noNatural Gas is Becoming Less Attractivetag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-12-05:6069565:BlogPost:2120342016-12-05T17:30:00.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><img alt="Untitled" height="317" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5620/30476890273_85c750554c.jpg" width="476"></img></p>
<p>The United States and Canada have been fortunate to have access to natural gas for space heating, water heating, and other applications. Over the decades, gas supplies have been both reliable and affordable. We also believed that natural gas was clean and environmentally friendly, and was therefore reasonable as the fuel of choice. Sadly, this situation is changing; natural gas is becoming less attractive.</p>
<p>What has changed? First, research has shown that natural gas…</p>
<p><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5620/30476890273_85c750554c.jpg" alt="Untitled" width="476" height="317"/></p>
<p>The United States and Canada have been fortunate to have access to natural gas for space heating, water heating, and other applications. Over the decades, gas supplies have been both reliable and affordable. We also believed that natural gas was clean and environmentally friendly, and was therefore reasonable as the fuel of choice. Sadly, this situation is changing; natural gas is becoming less attractive.</p>
<p>What has changed? First, research has shown that natural gas is not as environmentally friendly as we thought. Direct combustion of natural gas in homes generates CO<sub>2</sub> (a lot of CO<sub>2</sub>), and there’s no way the United States can meet its climate goals without reducing its use. That’s almost old news (even if we haven’t yet begun to deal with it), but the latest research has found that leakage during extraction, transmission, and storage of natural gas is much greater than was once believed. New monitoring techniques suggest that 25% more methane is lost through leaks than estimates made only a few years ago. Methane—the primary constituent of natural gas—has a global warming potential about 25 times that of CO<sub>2</sub>, so this upward revision is significant on a national (and global) scale. Last year’s catastrophic blowout at the gas storage facility in Aliso Canyon, California, resulted in emissions equal to 20% of the state's total 2015 CO<sub>2</sub>emissions (including those from cars and power plants)! That accident also created immediate local health problems, well ahead of future healthproblems caused by climate change. Deferred maintenance and aging infrastructure of the gas networks are likely to create more such accidents, ranging from the nearly invisible to the spectacular.</p>
<p>Another strike against natural gas is that it is easier to achieve healthy, efficient homes when no combustion takes place indoors. This makes the home easier to seal and balance. Once it is no longer necessary to remove combustion products, ventilation systems only need to cope with the relatively simpler tasks of dehumidification and providing fresh air.</p>
<p><span class="font-size-1">The catastrophic Aliso Canyon methane leak resulted in 20% of California’s total CO<sub>2</sub>emissions in 2015. (Earthworks)</span></p>
<p>Natural gas is also becoming less of a winner on the consumption side, especially compared to electricity from renewable sources. The best electric alternatives to natural gas, while still more expensive, are becoming more efficient and technically appealing. Heat pumps, the principal method of supplying heat from electricity, continue to improve and supply heat at ever-colder outside temperatures. The latest generation of electric stoves—once disdained by chefs—now offer controllability and other features that make them competitive with gas units. The laggard has been the electric clothes dryer, heat pump versions of which are only now appearing on the market.</p>
<p>In global climate negotiations, natural gas is sometimes called a transition fuel—that is, a transition from coal to carbon-free alternatives. That may still be true, but the numbers are not as overwhelmingly favorable as we once thought. But even as we realize the downsides of natural gas, it is becoming cheaper and therefore more attractive economically. These contradictory signals are bound to confuse consumers. Policy makers, building scientists, utilities, and regulators will need to develop clear recommendations to the building community as natural gas ceases to become the obvious fuel of choice.</p>
<p></p>
<p>- Alan Meier</p>
<p><strong>Alan Meier</strong> <em>is the senior executive editor of</em> Home Energy <em>magazine. This editorial was originally printed in the <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/article/id/2155/viewFull/" target="_blank">Winter 2016 issue</a>. </em></p>California's Home Performance Data Droughttag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-11-16:6069565:BlogPost:2113132016-11-16T16:07:31.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/905.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/905.jpg"></img></a> Every energy upgraded home has data. But it’s the story behind the data that gives it meaning.</p>
<p>Stories like Mark and Jane’s who sold their home in Carmel, California fixer upper with a couple acres in Grass Valley so they could pursue their micro-farm dream in their retirement. With extensive energy upgrades in the attic and to their crawl and mechanical systems, they reduced consumption by…</p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/905.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/905.jpg" class="align-left"/></a>Every energy upgraded home has data. But it’s the story behind the data that gives it meaning.</p>
<p>Stories like Mark and Jane’s who sold their home in Carmel, California fixer upper with a couple acres in Grass Valley so they could pursue their micro-farm dream in their retirement. With extensive energy upgrades in the attic and to their crawl and mechanical systems, they reduced consumption by 56%.</p>
<p>Then, a year later, they added enough solar to make the home net zero. But to them, the most remarkable benefits of the upgrades are Mark’s health improvements. For 75 years, Mark suffered from asthma but he’s been off medication for over two years now for the first time in his life.</p>
<h3><strong>Data Driven</strong></h3>
<p>Data is vital to every industry. Home performance has started to collect data and its reservoirs are filling but many stakeholders like real estate agents and appraisers are still in a data drought.</p>
<p>Real estate professionals are an essential group that could help drive demand if they had access to home performance data. Thousands of homeowners and builders have invested in energy upgrades but have been frustrated by agents, appraisers, and lenders because too often, they have not recognized added value for the upgrades. This has been a detriment to market uptake. Consumers need the certainty that these investments will pay off.</p>
<p>In this case, who is hearing Mark and Jane’s story? What’s working in their house that other homes don’t have? What specific upgrades were installed?</p>
<p>Home performance experts often track and analyze their own data in pursuit of excellence—as a way to learn from successes and mistakes. But many more could track their data if they had a tool to make it fast and easy.</p>
<p>Enter AjO. </p>
<h3><strong>A New Mobile Data Tool</strong></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.ajohp.org/" target="_blank">AjO</a> is a new mobile data tool that equips contractors with the ability to quickly and easily manage their project data while on site. Its hallmark product is a one-page report for homeowners. Unlike a rating or label, AjO’s One Page Report (pictured below) is a concise list of the installed energy upgrades. This condensed summary of the work scope is helpful for homeowners, and informs real estate agents and appraisers in their value estimates. AjO is designed to help contractors first, but facilitates data accessibility to real estate professionals and data exchanges who need it to drive demand—much like two more California projects currently being developed.</p>
<p><img src="http://homeenergy.org/public/js/tinymce/source/1%20Page,%20highlights,%20scenarios%20(2).jpg" alt="" width="465" height="577"/></p>
<h3><strong>Industry Connections</strong></h3>
<p>Soon to be launched, the Home Energy Propensity Map, a Center for Sustainable Energy project, is an interactive map of homes with energy upgrades and/or solar. Not only does it illustrate market activity, but will also connect viewers, via hyperlinks, to project data such as AjO reports, which will raise visibility of these home performance experts and their stories.</p>
<p>Another resource soon to be introduced to the California real estate market is the Green Home Registry. This registry will connect data on energy upgraded homes to the MLS, increasing accessibility and utility to real estate professionals.</p>
<p>These, together with AjO, address home performance data accessibility and value. They are part of the new home performance data network infrastructure we’ve needed for so long.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>AjO’s pilot is currently underway as part of Energy Upgrade CA’s outreach to contractors. You can participate <a href="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/75b276f41265c6a421db8b6ae/files/AJO_inviteOct2016_KD8.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>-Debra Little</strong></p>
<p><strong>Debra Little</strong><em> is a home performance and valuation specialist. You can contact her at <a href="mailto:DL@AjOhp.org?subject=EUC-AjO%20Invite%20Response" target="_blank">DL@AjOhp.org</a>.</em></p>
<p><em>This blog originally appeared on <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/905/nav/blog" target="_blank">www.homeenergy.org</a>. </em></p>The Real Women of Home Performance: Lauren Salztag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-11-01:6069565:BlogPost:2106672016-11-01T17:30:00.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/902.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" height="327" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/902.jpg" width="183"></img></a> Lauren Salz is the co-founder and COO of <a href="http://sealed.com/" target="_blank">Sealed</a>, a company with a simple purpose: to make home comfort improvements a no-brainer. Lauren manages the Sealed's software and patent-pending analytics, as well as the recently announced Sealed HomeAdvance fund.</p>
<p><strong>Julie Caracino (Home Performance Coalition): </strong>How did you get started in the home…</p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/902.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/902.jpg" class="align-left" width="183" height="327"/></a>Lauren Salz is the co-founder and COO of <a href="http://sealed.com/" target="_blank">Sealed</a>, a company with a simple purpose: to make home comfort improvements a no-brainer. Lauren manages the Sealed's software and patent-pending analytics, as well as the recently announced Sealed HomeAdvance fund.</p>
<p><strong>Julie Caracino (Home Performance Coalition): </strong>How did you get started in the home performance industry? </p>
<p><strong>Lauren Salz: </strong>By accident! I have a background in finance, but I was looking to work at an early stage company and learn something new. I met with around 20 startup founders in various industries, and I was lucky enough to meet Andy Frank (Founder and President of Sealed). I knew next to nothing about the industry, but I had a feeling that this was the right idea with the right person behind it.</p>
<p><strong>JC:</strong> What has been your greatest accomplishment so far? What are you most proud of? </p>
<p><strong>LS: </strong>My biggest accomplishment so far is bringing to market a product that makes it possible for homeowners to pay for efficiency improvements with their savings. It’s a concept that people in the industry have been talking about and trying to do for years, and we’ve finally made it a reality. I’m especially proud of the incredible team we’ve built at Sealed that has made this possible.</p>
<p><strong>JC:</strong> When you started out, what were some of the challenges you faced and how did you overcome these? </p>
<p><strong>LS:</strong> It was a very daunting task to build the software, analytics, and financing capabilities to launch our product, basically from scratch. It’s one thing to have a big idea. It’s quite another thing to bring that big idea to fruition. I’ve found the best way to tackle big challenges like that is to make small improvements in short time frames, test out what you have, and iterate quickly based on feedback.</p>
<p><strong>JC: </strong>What is the most rewarding thing about your job? </p>
<p><strong>LS:</strong> Making a big difference in our customers’ quality of life. Our customers have severe drafts and are uncomfortable in their own homes, especially during the winter. Many of them would be unable or unwilling to pay large out-of-pocket sums to improve their homes, and our product makes it possible for them.</p>
<p><strong>JC: </strong>In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges for women in this industry? </p>
<p><strong>LS:</strong> There are very few women in the industry, so sometimes it can be intimidating to deal with mainly men, many who have been around the industry for a long time.</p>
<p><strong>JC: </strong>What advice would you give to a woman starting out in the home performance industry?</p>
<p><strong>LS:</strong> Don’t be intimidated! When I first started out in home performance, I was a 25 year old with no industry-specific experience. It took a while for me to feel confident when meeting with important partners, but I definitely took a 'fake it ‘til you make it' approach. It works!</p>
<p></p>
<p><em>This blog originally appeared on <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/902/nav/blog" target="_blank">www.homeenergy.org</a>. </em></p>4 Traps to Avoid in Selling Home Performancetag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-10-25:6069565:BlogPost:2103412016-10-25T21:58:38.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/889.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/889.jpg"></img></a> You want the sale. We all want the sale! Maybe you’re very hungry to post some numbers or push to hit the plan. That’s OK. But don’t let that get in the way of good approaches. It’s easier to stick with a good process when you’ve got ample leads, a solid pipeline, and you’re been hitting the numbers. So, try to stay ahead and…use effective lead generation, maintain your pipeline, and stay on top of your plan…</p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/889.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/889.jpg" class="align-left"/></a>You want the sale. We all want the sale! Maybe you’re very hungry to post some numbers or push to hit the plan. That’s OK. But don’t let that get in the way of good approaches. It’s easier to stick with a good process when you’ve got ample leads, a solid pipeline, and you’re been hitting the numbers. So, try to stay ahead and…use effective lead generation, maintain your pipeline, and stay on top of your plan and what you need to deliver it! (All subjects <a title="Search OmStout blog for marketing-related posts" href="http://omstout.com/?s=marketing" target="_blank">discussed frequently</a>on OmStout’s Energy Matters blog.)</p>
<p>When all isn’t going as well as you hoped, though, there is a tendency to fall back on approaches that seem like they’d drive you forward faster, but that actually work against you. Try to avoid the following.</p>
<h3>1. Ready, fire, aim! </h3>
<p>Jumping into a pitch or presentation without fully understanding the problem is dead wrong. You’ll sell less—and you won’t make customers as happy. The oft-repeated mantra in home performance is “prescription without diagnosis is malpractice.” One of the beauties of home performance is the emphasis on diagnosis. Using the blower door and infrared camera, doing CAZ testing, and using your understanding of how a home is performing to figure out what’s going on <em>before</em> presenting “solutions” (because they’re not really solutions if you don’t know the problem). Remember, though, it’s not just physics. You also have to understand the home’s performance in the context of what the customer wants. They may be more interested in fixing the daughter’s bedroom that is too cold, the home office that is unusable in July and August, and getting rid of the stinky odors from the crawlspace than they are in shooting for 80% energy savings with a deep energy retrofit, or even than they in energy savings at all. You’ve got to find that out, too.</p>
<h3>2. Talking more than the customer.</h3>
<p>Yep, you’re smart. You can measure CFM50. You can figure out the source of the ice dam problem (or the damn ice problem). You can give a lecture. But trying to show your expertise this way is annoying. It also doesn’t help them customer understand. Yes, it’s a whole lot simpler to just start preaching the science, explaining the logic, and moving on. Logic and financing make sense, right? As mentioned frequently on this blog, however, <a title="Good information and financing don&#x2019;t lead directly to buying energy-efficiency" href="http://omstout.com/good-information-and-financing-dont-lead-directly-to-buying-energy-efficiency/" target="_blank">logic is not how people decide</a>. It’s also not how you learn what’s important to the customer, that is, what they want and what they’re willing to pay for. It’s not how most people learn, either. If you’re giving a building science lecture to a homeowner, and his or her eyes are glazed over, you’re wasting your breath and everyone’s time. You’ve got to ask questions and engage in a dialog.</p>
<h3><strong>3. Asking to manipulate rather than asking to learn and to educate.</strong></h3>
<p>Questions are a great way to help <em>you</em> figure out what the homeowner values. And good questions can help the homeowner understand not just how solutions match problems but also help <em>them</em> understand what they value. (<a href="http://omstout.com/sales-secret-ask-good-questions-and-listen-to-the-answers/" target="_blank">See this example!</a>) Questions should be one of your greatest tools. That said, good questions don’t come automatically to most. You’ve got to practice to get good at asking questions. And leading questions, closed-ended questions designed to trick people into saying “yes” five times, and statements disguised as questions are all tools that homeowners can usually see through, and that turns most people off. Don’t try that stuff on me!</p>
<h3><strong>4. Closing to sell.</strong></h3>
<p>The pressure is on. You NEED the sale or the crew doesn’t have work next week. Don’t blow it. This is exactly the time to remember that building the right solutions, and as hinted at above, that’s not just the technical solution, it’s also the solution that the customer wants and values, it the way to help you today and tomorrow. Rushing the process of getting a signed contract won’t build satisfaction. It separates you from the customer. That’s bad because the sale today is less important that the customer for life who can keep coming back to you over and over and over. The sale today isn’t likely to be the $80,000 deep energy retrofit. But the components of the DER live on as opportunities that you can revisit over time, IF you deliver the right solution the first time and IF you maintain the relationship over time. It’s a lot easier to succeed with the long-game time than with the short game.</p>
<p>It’s easy to fall back on the approaches that don’t work. It’s even easier when you’re stressed and panicked and need that sale today. Good practices don’t come easy. They come with…<a href="http://omstout.com/i-dont-like-that-role-playing-stuff/" target="_blank">practice</a>! But practicing good approaches, and practicing them some more, helps you stick with what works even with things get hard.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Mike Rogers</strong><em> is the President of OmStout Consulting. A nationally recognized expert in residential energy-efficiency, he works with contractors and programs to scale sustainable market approaches to improving homes. More on <a title="Mike Rogers on Google+" href="http://google.com/+MikeRogers1/?rel=author">Google+</a></em></p>
<p><em>This blog originally appeared on <a href="http://omstout.com/4-more-traps-to-avoid-in-selling-home-performance-2/" target="_blank">OmStout's Energy Matters blog</a> and is reprinted with permission.</em></p>Zero Energy Homes: Economical and Eco-Friendlytag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-09-19:6069565:BlogPost:2092082016-09-19T23:10:41.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/878.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/878.jpg"></img></a> As global concern about energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and depletion of non-renewable resources continues to rise, more and more consumers are exploring ways to reduce their home’s energy usage. At the forefront of this conversation is the zero energy home movement.</p>
<p>As early adopters of energy efficiency policies and the zero energy movement, Connecticut developed the …</p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/878.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/878.jpg" class="align-left"/></a>As global concern about energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and depletion of non-renewable resources continues to rise, more and more consumers are exploring ways to reduce their home’s energy usage. At the forefront of this conversation is the zero energy home movement.</p>
<p>As early adopters of energy efficiency policies and the zero energy movement, Connecticut developed the <a href="https://www.ctzeroenergychallenge.com/" target="_blank">Zero Energy Challenge (ZEC)</a>, an annual design and build competition that showcases energy efficient single and multi-family homes. The Challenge is managed by electric utilities Eversource and United Illuminating, and exemplifies the positive impact zero energy homebuilding can have on our community and environment.</p>
<p>Since 2010, this nationally recognized competition has challenged builders and homeowners alike to construct high performance homes that consume little to no energy.</p>
<p>This past year’s Challenge featured nine participants, who shattered the perception that “green” homes are expensive. With an average cost per square foot of $139, 2015 proved to be the most affordable year on record for the Challenge. According to HomeAdvisor.com, the national average cost per square foot for a 2,000 square foot home in 2016 is $150.</p>
<p>In addition to the construction cost, the 2015 participants are expected to save, on average, approximately 15,000 kilowatt hours of electricity and almost $3,000 dollars in energy costs, as compared to a home built to residential building code standards. Some of the energy saving building designs, products and materials used in their homes included:</p>
<ul>
<li>Salvaged metal kitchen materials from a 1950’s home</li>
<li>Heat pump water heaters</li>
<li>Solar photovoltaic systems</li>
<li>Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) for wall and roof insulation</li>
<li>ENERGY STAR<sup>®</sup> LED Lighting and Appliances</li>
<li>High Efficiency Energy Recovery Ventilators</li>
</ul>
<p>The 2015 Challenge also confirmed that it is more economical to address sustainability through new construction, rather than going back and retrofitting a home with energy efficient upgrades. Some of the advanced technologies and building practices featured in these homes, included:</p>
<ul>
<li>12 Inch exterior wall cavity with R-50 insulation</li>
<li>Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV’s) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV’s)</li>
<li>Ductless Air Source and Geothermal Heat Pump heating systems</li>
<li>A desuperheater that uses waste heat from the geothermal system to pre-heat the domestic hot water system</li>
</ul>
<p>For one participant, the overall initial cost of the home’s construction was less than the cost of installing a high performance HVAC system and window package in a similar, older home.</p>
<p>Beyond the energy savings, cost savings and positive economic impact, a more sustainable home delivers tremendous environmental benefits. A zero energy home, on average, reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 30 tons more than a non-zero energy home. Sustainable homes also help boost our energy supply by lessening the electrical load on our power grid, reducing peak demand and the need to build more power plants and infrastructure.</p>
<p>As the zero energy movement gains more momentum, it is important that we continue to keep sustainability in mind when constructing new homes and strive to build to zero energy standards. With a record of 22 participants for the 2016 Zero Energy Challenge, these Connecticut homes are proof that building an energy efficient and eco-conscious home is now more imaginable—and affordable—than ever before.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Nicholas Jones </strong><em>and</em><strong> Jennifer Parsons</strong> <em>are Zero Energy Challenge Program Administrators for <a href="http://www.energizect.com/" target="_blank">Energize Connecticut</a>.</em></p>
<p></p>
<p><em>This blog originally appeared on <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/878/nav/blog" target="_blank">www.homeenergy.org</a>.</em></p>10 Ways for Contractors to Be More Professionaltag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-09-14:6069565:BlogPost:2091142016-09-14T03:13:54.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/877.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/877.jpg"></img></a> As with other client businesses, when it comes to making it as a contractor, professionalism is everything. Rightly or wrongly, as a contractor, clients will judge you not just on the quality of your work but on the overall impression you leave with them.</p>
<p>Fortunately, some simple changes can make a big difference in how clients view you and improve your bottom line.</p>
<h3>1. Show Up On Time</h3>
<p>It…</p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/877.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/877.jpg" class="align-left"/></a>As with other client businesses, when it comes to making it as a contractor, professionalism is everything. Rightly or wrongly, as a contractor, clients will judge you not just on the quality of your work but on the overall impression you leave with them.</p>
<p>Fortunately, some simple changes can make a big difference in how clients view you and improve your bottom line.</p>
<h3>1. Show Up On Time</h3>
<p>It sounds simple, but too many contractors don’t take showing up on time seriously enough. From the client’s perspective, though, showing up late is an immediate red flag. Angie’s List<a href="https://www.angieslist.com/articles/10-warning-signs-when-hiring-contractor.htm" target="_blank"> even lists</a> showing up late as one of the 10 warning signs that you’re hiring a bad contractor. Showing up on time, on the other hand, is easy to do and costs you nothing. Aim for 15 minutes early and you should have no problems. On the rare occasion when you’re going to be late, call your client and let them know.</p>
<p>Bonus: one way to make sure that you’re where you need in time is to schedule your appointments on an online calendar tool like Google Calendar. If you put in a location, Google Calendar will even tell you when you need to leave to get where you’re going on time.</p>
<h3>2. Use Shoe Covers</h3>
<p>A lot of people have shoeless households these days. Even if they don’t, do you really want to be responsible for tracking mud and dirt into the client’s house?</p>
<p>Bonus: you can use disposable shoe covers or, for a greener option,<a href="https://proshoecovers.com/" target="_blank"> invest in reusable ones.</a></p>
<h3>3. Keep Your Trucks Clean &amp; Organized</h3>
<p>Creating a good impression doesn’t stop at the job site. A disorganized or messy truck suggests to clients that your work may be the same. </p>
<p>One of my old bosses dealt with this by setting a schedule for his crew to clean the inside of the trucks every day and to wash the outside weekly, and he paid them for their time.</p>
<p>Bonus: If you work in the field, you can set a good example for your crew by tidying up after yourself.</p>
<h3>4. Have a Dedicated Business Line</h3>
<p>No one wants to call a contractor on their home number or personal cell phone.<br/>There are lots of different options for making sure customer calls go to your company business line. One is a virtual phone system that lets you use landlines, computers, and cellphones as a single system. Services that do this range from classics like<a href="https://business.vonage.com/" target="_blank"> Vonage</a> and newcomers like <a href="https://dialpad.com/" target="_blank">Dialpad</a>.</p>
<p>A less expensive option is call forwarding. This is basically one number and message that gives callers a directory and forwards them to the representative they are trying to reach. These services can also mask outgoing numbers on cell phones so that your customers will always have only one number to call.</p>
<p><a href="http://grasshopper.com/" target="_blank">Grasshopper</a>, the forwarding service we use, only costs $24 a month, but there are other options you can look into as well.</p>
<p>Bonus: it might not seem like a big deal for salespeople to be giving clients their personal line, but what if the salesperson leaves the company? Do you really want old customers calling that cell?</p>
<h3>5. Answer Your Phone Promptly &amp; Professionally</h3>
<p>Even if you don’t have a dedicated line, it’s really important to train your team to answer potential customer calls professionally. The difference between “Hello, this is Bob Smith from XYZ services,” and “Yeah?” is potentially the difference between winning and losing a contract.</p>
<p>Bonus: you can also consider hiring an answering service to pick up calls for you. A contractor I used to work with worked with a<a href="http://www.callruby.com/" target="_blank"> Ruby receptionist</a>. Using an answering service ensures that you never miss a call and that your calls are answered in a professional way. </p>
<h3>6. Respond to Emails &amp; Calls Promptly</h3>
<p>Try to respond to all your customers in one business day or less. Even if you don’t have an answer to the customer’s question or your bid isn’t ready, you can always just call the customer back and tell them when they can expect to hear from you. If you use them, this goes for lead generation services too.</p>
<p>Bonus: if you’re a higher volume contractor, a customer relationship management (CRM) program can help you keep track how long it took you to respond. A good CRM can also send you a reminder to get back to the customer when it’s time. Energy Circle has a <a href="http://www.energycircle.com/guide/guide-crm-home-performance" target="_blank">CRM guide for Home Performance Contractors</a> from a few years ago. Or check out <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7839-best-crm-software.html" target="_blank">Business Insider’s Best CRM Software for Small Business</a> for a general, but more up-to-date take on what’s out there.</p>
<h3>7. Respond to Reviews</h3>
<p>Getting a negative review online can be stressful and upsetting. But it’s worth it to respond on the website if you can. Tell the customer you’re sorry and offer to resolve the issue. If possible contact the customer directly as well. (<a href="https://www.searchenginejournal.com/step-step-guide-responding-bad-yelp-review/135223/" target="_blank">This article</a> has some good tips on how to respond to a negative Yelp review). No matter what happens, always be polite and professional. You may be surprised: sometimes bad reviews can turn into good ones if you just reach out and offer to fix the problem.</p>
<p>Bonus: don’t forget to respond to good reviews too! Doing so shows you appreciate your good customers.</p>
<h3>8. Update Your Website</h3>
<p>With all the work a contractor has to do, who has time to update their website? Unfortunately, website standards change and web design is always evolving. The site you thought looked fine a few years ago might seem very out-of-date today. While some customers won’t notice or care, many will.</p>
<p>If you need to redesign your site from scratch, many of the new web services like<a href="http://www.wix.com/" target="_blank"> Wix</a> or<a href="https://www.weebly.com/" target="_blank"> Weebly</a> provide an easy way to create a modern-looking, professional website without spending a lot of time. For the more technically inclined, WordPress is the industry standard for power and flexibility.</p>
<p>Web design can be overwhelming, so a good approach is to start simple and build out pages one at a time. For someone in the contracting business, content is the most important, so don’t waste time over-designing your site. Do make sure though that you’ve chosen a responsive theme that looks good on mobile devices. <a href="http://searchengineland.com/its-official-google-says-more-searches-now-on-mobile-than-on-desktop-220369" target="_blank">According to Google</a>, these days more people search the Internet from mobile devices than from the desktop, so your mobile site should look good.</p>
<p>Web design can be intimidating, so don’t be afraid to get help from a professional. We use<a href="http://www.energycircle.com/services/customdevelopment" target="_blank"> Energy Circle</a> to host our site, and they also help with other kinds of marketing.</p>
<p>Bonus: an up-to-date and professional website should have a custom domain. That domain can be used to set up custom email addresses if you don’t already use one. It looks more professional if a customer gets an email from bob@xyz.com than xyz@gmail.com.</p>
<h3>9. Keep Your Branding Simple &amp; Consistent</h3>
<p>Most of us are not graphic designers, and shouldn’t try to be. If you don’t have the resources to hire a designer, it’s almost always better to err on the side of simple. There’s no need to wrap your vehicles with marketing. Your logo and contact info on the door of a clean white truck goes a long way. Stay away from crazy fonts in your materials and stick with the classics: Helvetica/Arial or Times/Georgia. Those fonts are readable and everyone has them on their computers.</p>
<p>Bonus: if you have the resources, it can be worth it to hire a graphic designer. Just remember, logos are just a part of branding. Much more important is how your customer sees, hears and perceives you overall.</p>
<h3>10. Use Trust Symbols</h3>
<p>“Trust symbols” are signs or badges that add credibility to your business. These include general business memberships (<a href="https://www.bbb.org/">Better Business Bureau</a>) industry associations you might be a part of (<a href="http://bpi.org/goldstar.aspx">BPI Goldstar Contractor</a>) safety certifications (<a href="https://www.epa.gov/lead/getcertified">EPA Lead Safe</a>) or regional groups (<a href="http://greenbusinessca.org/welcome/">California Green Business Program</a>). Keep in mind that these are just examples—you should focus on what memberships are important to your customers, depending on the area you work in and the specialties you focus on.</p>
<p>Bonus: Check your certifications to see if the certifying organization provides a list of members. If so, make sure you’re on it. A listing on a certifying organization website can send direct business to your site and help your own website’s search ranking.</p>
<p>With a little careful thought, research, and change in practices, you can improve your company’s professionalism in small ways that will pay big dividends down the line. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Gabe Lieb</strong> <em>works for the communications and marketing department for Efficiency First California.</em></p>
<p><em>This post originally appeared on <a href="http://www.efficiencyfirstca.org/news/2016/08/18/10-ways-contractors-be-more-professional" target="_blank">Efficiency First California's Blog</a> and was reposted on <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/877/nav/blog" target="_blank">www.homeenergy.org</a> with permission.<br/></em></p>
<p><em>Image from <a href="http://www.istockphoto.com/" target="_blank">iStock</a>.</em></p>
<p> </p>No B.S.tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-09-07:6069565:BlogPost:2084652016-09-07T17:12:00.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/875.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/875.jpg"></img></a> Homebuilders impress me. I know many; they’re great people. Honest, hardworking. They have a lot of good experience and they take pride in their work. They generally do not have a college education.</p>
<p>I think our universities need to offer a new degree: Bachelor of Science in Homebuilding.</p>
<p>Employment and education in America has changed a lot in the last generation. A high school education used to…</p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/875.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/875.jpg" class="align-left"/></a>Homebuilders impress me. I know many; they’re great people. Honest, hardworking. They have a lot of good experience and they take pride in their work. They generally do not have a college education.</p>
<p>I think our universities need to offer a new degree: Bachelor of Science in Homebuilding.</p>
<p>Employment and education in America has changed a lot in the last generation. A high school education used to be sufficient to enter a decent career path and buy a home in the suburbs and raise a family. My father did this, as a pipefitter. He had a good union pension and he is living a comfortable retirement.</p>
<p>Now, you need a Bachelor’s degree for most permanent well-paying jobs. I recently saw a job listing in Los Angeles for an entry-level office job (what used to be called secretary) which required a Bachelor’s degree, plus fluency in English, Spanish, and Mandarin—trilingual! I recall that it paid about $36,000 a year.</p>
<p>Similarly, the standards have been raised for building-industry careers like architects and structural engineers. A Master’s degree is now generally required, where a Bachelor’s degree was once sufficient. Maybe it is not a strict requirement, but things are quickly moving that way.</p>
<p>Yet in 2016, to be a homebuilder you don’t need any education at all. In a purely capitalistic sense, this is great. Homebuilding is an industry with practically no barriers to entry. Working-class people and new immigrants can rise up quickly. All you need is a pickup truck, a few tools, a logo, and that first client.</p>
<p>A B.S. in Homebuilding would raise the level of the industry, and by extension the quality of our homes and our quality of life. My homebuilder friends are smart and experienced, but to be sure they could use a bit more book-learning and a real credential. They are not professionals and therefore limited in the eyes of the public. They could get more jobs this way. I’m sure the next generation of clients will expect a business owner or project manager to have a Bachelor’s degree. After all, secretaries have one.</p>
<p>In my view, homebuilders do not need to be educated to the same level as architects or engineers. Building a house simply does not require that level of sophistication. They need to know a bit about architectural design and planning, a bit about structural and mechanical engineering, quite a bit about building science (and home energy), and quite a bit about construction management, including accounting, business management, and real estate. A lot of universities teach all of these subjects, but they do not package them together and tailor them to students who want to build homes.</p>
<p>Universities are not trade schools, and should not be. Still, the program I have in mind would have quite a bit of practical hands-on education. Architectural design is important—traditional issues of form-making and space planning and aesthetics. Computing is important—3D modeling, rendering, basic energy simulations. Building science is very important, to minimize energy use—students in this program would learn how to prevent mold, how attics and basements work, and how use a blower door plus the science behind it. They should learn, at a basic level, how to design a truss, and a foundation, and a subdivision. Accounting and finance are important—amortization, depreciation, return-on-investment. Maybe they should learn a bit of interior design. Interpersonal communication and ethics would be required subjects, of course. They should pound a few nails and mix some concrete along the way.</p>
<p>What I envision for the B.S. in Homebuilding is fundamentally different from Architecture or Engineering or Business. For the students and graduates I have in mind, an architecture degree is too esoteric. They are practically-minded and do not excel at abstract thought. An engineering degree is frankly too difficult in math, science, and technical subjects. Building a house does not require partial differential equations and soil mechanics, but freshman physics would be great. A business degree is okay, but it is missing any content about how buildings work. The students I have in mind want to wear boots, not suits.</p>
<p>And, from the point of view of architecture and engineering education, those disciplines would then be free to deemphasize the single-family house and focus on the more complex issues facing those professions. Architects and engineers are not much involved in the homebuilding industry anyway. The schools would rather ignore that messy world and focus on commercial and institutional-scale projects, public spaces, large-scale innovations, plus theory and critical thinking. As elitist as this may sound, in a cutting-edge architecture program, it’s retrograde and unnecessary to design a suburban house.</p>
<p>Yet in American culture, we need homebuilders who can design and build a better single-family house—with taste, with scientific thought (including sustainability), with business savvy—and a credential which demonstrates a baseline understanding of those subjects.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>- Anthony Denzer</p>
<p><strong>Anthony Denzer</strong> <em>is Department Head of Civil &amp; Architectural Engineering at the University of Wyoming, and he leads the Building Energy Research Group (UW-BERG). His most recent book, </em>The Solar House: Pioneering Sustainable Design<em>, was published by Rizzoli in 2013. He also maintains <a href="http://homeenergy.org/admin/blog/www.solarhousehistory.com" target="_blank">www.solarhousehistory.com</a>.</em></p>
<p>This blog originally appeared on <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/875/nav/blog" target="_blank">www.homeenergy.org</a>. </p>Better Building Codes Empower Utah Homebuyers to Look for Energy Efficiencytag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-08-22:6069565:BlogPost:2080432016-08-22T17:24:28.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/865.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/865.jpg"></img></a> Until Aug. 13, many prospective home buyers in Utah were touring new homes during the <a href="http://saltlakeparade.com/" target="_blank">Salt Lake Parade of Homes</a> and pondering which might be best for them. One important question many were asking is, “What would my energy bills be in this new home versus that one?”</p>
<p>Luckily, when shopping for a new home, Utah consumers can now check energy ratings…</p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/865.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/865.jpg" class="align-left"/></a>Until Aug. 13, many prospective home buyers in Utah were touring new homes during the <a href="http://saltlakeparade.com/" target="_blank">Salt Lake Parade of Homes</a> and pondering which might be best for them. One important question many were asking is, “What would my energy bills be in this new home versus that one?”</p>
<p>Luckily, when shopping for a new home, Utah consumers can now check energy ratings to understand a home’s estimated energy use. That’s because, as part of updated construction standards for energy conservation, new homes in Utah may now include an energy rating score that empowers homebuyers to look for energy efficiency.</p>
<p>An energy efficient home will save homeowners money every month. That’s why Utah Clean Energy and the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project advocated at the Utah Legislature for the new energy rating index to become part of Utah’s updated energy code. Now buyers will know what kind of energy use to expect, like considering the fuel economy label on a new car.</p>
<p>Knowing that a new home won’t waste energy and have higher-than-necessary utility bills is increasingly important as Utahns make decisions about which home to purchase. Utah is now among only 10 states allowing the <a href="http://www.resnet.us/hers-index" target="_blank">energy ratings</a> as part of the updated building code, thanks to <a href="http://le.utah.gov/~2016/bills/static/HB0316.html" target="_blank">legislation</a> adopted in March 2016, which took effect on July 1, 2016.</p>
<p>The state’s largest homebuilder is embracing energy efficiency because it’s good for the environment and business.</p>
<p>“We were already moving on these better building codes,” said James Jonsson of Ivory Homes, “because we want to build the best home possible for our consumers. Energy efficiency is a selling feature.”</p>
<p>“Owning a home is about a lot more than a mortgage. Energy efficient homes will be affordable for years to come due to low energy costs, and they’re more comfortable” states Steve Baden, Executive Director for RESNET, a national non-profit organization committed to helping make homes more energy efficient. “People expect new homes to be built to a high standard, including using energy wisely. The new energy rating index is an important tool the help Utah families understand the expected energy cost of a new home.”</p>
<p>The building code’s new “energy rating index” is based on a scale that ranks the home’s energy efficiency. A lower score means the home is more energy efficient. With Utah’s improved building codes, new homes can pass the code with an energy rating of no higher than 65-69, depending on which “Climate Zone” it’s located in within the state. The nation’s most common energy rating program is the “Home Energy Rating System,” better known as the HERS Index.</p>
<p>“Utah is a national leader in building energy efficient homes and was one of the first states/ to adopt the energy rating index option for their energy code” Baden continued. “In 2015 alone 1,498 new homes built in Utah received a HERS Index rating with an average rating of 61. This represents a home being 39% more efficient than a home built as recently as 2006 and 69% more efficient than a home built in the 1970’s.”</p>
<p>More efficient homes will protect air quality as well as consumers’ pocketbooks. Emissions from homes are a recognized contributor to local air pollution that contribute to poor air quality along Utah’s Wasatch Front. Which means that efficient new homes will help everyone to breathe easier—when paying utility bills or playing in the back yard.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Kevin Emerson</strong><em> is a Senior Policy and Regulatory Associate for the Utah Clean Energy and Southwest Energy Efficiency Project.</em></p>
<p></p>
<p>This blog originally appeared on <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/865/nav/blog" target="_blank">homeenergy.org</a>. </p>
<p></p>
<p><em>More information:</em></p>
<p><a href="http://utahcleanenergy.org/" target="_blank"><em>Utah Clean Energy</em></a><em> focuses on making energy efficiency a priority in Utah, with innovative programs and policies that make it easier for Utah families and businesses to invest in efficiency improvements, to save money, and to start reaping the benefits of energy efficiency today.</em></p>
<p><a href="http://ivoryhomes.com/external_page/Ivory+Homes+HERS+Scores/" target="_blank"><em>Ivory Homes</em></a><em> builds efficient homes to save energy, money and the environment. Going above and beyond in the efficiency arena, from windows and light bulbs, to appliances and insulation, Ivory prides itself in being Utah’s most efficient homebuilder.</em></p>
<p><em>The </em><a href="http://www.hersindex.com/understanding" target="_blank"><em>Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index</em></a><em> is the nation’s most common energy rating program for new homes developed by RESNET, the Residential Energy Services Network. Beginning on July 1, 2016 Utah home builders could start using the HERS Index to meet Utah’s updated energy code using the “Energy Rating Index” compliance method.</em></p>How On-Demand Pumps in New Residential Construction Can Pay for Themselves Via the New Home’s Mortgagetag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-08-15:6069565:BlogPost:2078362016-08-15T16:43:53.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/862.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/862.jpg"></img></a> Is it fair to say, “We take residential plumbing for granted? Do we use our plumbing system on a daily basis more than we do our stove or refrigerator?”</p>
<p>I think yes.</p>
<p>During the past 6-7 years, I have investigated on-demand pumps (IAPMO certified). I gathered large amounts of wasted water, energy and time data—with these pumps installed (and without) from homeowners all over the USA. I have written…</p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/862.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/862.jpg" class="align-left"/></a>Is it fair to say, “We take residential plumbing for granted? Do we use our plumbing system on a daily basis more than we do our stove or refrigerator?”</p>
<p>I think yes.</p>
<p>During the past 6-7 years, I have investigated on-demand pumps (IAPMO certified). I gathered large amounts of wasted water, energy and time data—with these pumps installed (and without) from homeowners all over the USA. I have written extensively on the benefits of these pumps.</p>
<p>It finally dawned on me to consider how the water and energy savings from on-demand pumps might be used in new residential construction financing.</p>
<p>Please don’t misunderstand—the mortgage industry, in general, is not tuned into accounting for the benefits of these pumps and the incremental financing concept outlined below. Comment: what bothers me is why the VA and/or FHA (VA / FHA, as mortgage insurers) and EPA WaterSense office have not teamed up to investigate the synergies possible to reduce net monthly mortgage costs <em>while</em> saving water, energy and time for new homeowners. Reduced homeowner cost of living and water/energy conservation can go hand in hand.</p>
<p>About a year ago I began to build a model for examining the incremental mortgage costs for installing on-demand pumps in new residential construction; using electricity, natural gas or propane for hot water heating, for both15-year and 30-year fixed mortgages. The developer, builder, or plumber provides specific information about the new home as well about 20 locale-specific data inputs for that new home. (National default values are provided for these inputs and are periodically updated.)</p>
<p>Model outputs range from the annual savings of wasted water, energy and time while waiting for hot water - quite impressive. The net annual savings due to the on-demand pump installation, after accounting for the incremental mortgage cost for the pump and installation, are also provided. Keep in mind, there are many uncertainties (that is, living patterns of the home’s occupants) involved that any outputs (and inputs) are certainly not precise—but are useful for decision-making nevertheless.</p>
<p>Bill Henry, owner of <a href="http://homeenergy.org/admin/blog/www.henrydesignbuild.com">HenryDesignBuild</a>, a southeastern Arizona builder, is using this model for discussions with his clients. (Among his impressive portfolio of homes built is a LEED platinum home that was featured in the <em>Wall Street Journal</em> during May 2013.) His clients have been pleasantly surprised and appreciative when gaining insights into these plumbing systems with no increase in monthly mortgage costs. His clients get “their cake and eat it, too.”</p>
<p>If this is of interest to you, send an email to <u>hot.water.data@gmail.com</u>. As the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu (604-531 BCE) said, “A journey of a 1,000 miles begins with a first step.” You take the first step to open a dialogue and we can journey together to save your client money, time, energy and water.</p>
<p></p>
<p>- Dave Grieshop</p>
<p><strong>Dave Grieshop</strong> <em>is Managing Partner at Reality LLC and a frequent </em>Home Energy<em> contributor.</em></p>
<p></p>
<p><em>This blog originally appeared on <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/862/nav/blog" target="_blank">www.homeenergy.org</a>. </em></p>Industry and Efficiency Proponents Agree on Big Efficiency Gains for Pool Pumpstag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-08-02:6069565:BlogPost:2072092016-08-02T17:57:05.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/860.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/860.jpg"></img></a> Swimming pool owners will see a huge drop in their monthly utility bills thanks to a consensus agreement between industry, efficiency proponents, and other interested parties for the first national energy <a href="http://www.appliance-standards.org/sites/default/files/DPPP_Draft_Term_Sheet_2016-06-23_FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">efficiency standards for pool pumps</a> that was approved July 29 by a U.S.…</p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/860.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/860.jpg" class="align-left"/></a>Swimming pool owners will see a huge drop in their monthly utility bills thanks to a consensus agreement between industry, efficiency proponents, and other interested parties for the first national energy <a href="http://www.appliance-standards.org/sites/default/files/DPPP_Draft_Term_Sheet_2016-06-23_FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">efficiency standards for pool pumps</a> that was approved July 29 by a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) advisory committee.</p>
<p>With more than 5 million in-ground and 3.5 million above-ground pools in the U.S., the national energy and financial savings from more energy efficient pumps will be significant. Based on DOE’s analysis, the standards will save more than 400 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity over 30 years of sales or the equivalent amount of electricity used annually by 37 million U.S. households, making it one of the biggest energy savings standards completed this year. Most of the savings will come from switching from single speed pumps to variable speed pumps, which can change their speed as needed, speeding up to clean the pool or slowing down and saving energy when filtering the water.</p>
<p>The new standards will cut the energy use for in-ground pool pumps by about 70%, and owners of in-ground pools will save about $2,000 on average over the lifetime of a pool pump. On a <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EERE-2015-BT-STD-0008-0093" target="_blank">national level</a>, consumers will save $13-28 billion with the new standards taking into account pool pumps sold over a 30-year period.</p>
<p>The recent approval of the agreement by DOE’s Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC) marks an important step in the standard-setting process. Next, DOE will write a rule based on the recommended standards and publish it for public comment. The new standards were developed after a yearlong series of negotiations between DOE, pool pump manufacturers, motor manufacturers, efficiency supporters, state government, and utilities.</p>
<p>“The commitment to supporting the adoption of more efficient pumps builds on a 15-year cooperative relationship with the pool industry that has led to innovation and product development,” said Gary Fernstrom, retired employee and advisor to Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&amp;E) Codes and Standards Program. “California’s investor-owned utilities are committed to helping customers conserve energy and have played a critical role in the effort to realize the significant energy savings and cost reductions for pool owners.”</p>
<p>Joanna Mauer, Technical Advocacy Manager for the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP) and a member of the working group notes that: “A typical pool pump can use as much as 6,000 kWh of electricity per year – a sizeable amount considering that the average U.S. household consumes about 11,000 kWh per year. The new standards will reduce energy consumption for in-ground pool pumps by about 70% relative to the least efficient pumps available today.”</p>
<p>“The Association of Pool &amp; Spa Professionals participated in these negotiations because of its members’ commitment to enhanced energy efficiency standards that benefit both consumers and the environment,” said APSP Director of Government Relations Jennifer Hatfield. “APSP members worked together with one voice and with all stakeholders to come up with a positive outcome for the swimming pool owner.”</p>
<p>“We are pleased that industry and energy efficiency advocates collaborated to propose a national standard that will lead to the greater use of variable speed pool pumps," said Commissioner Andrew McAllister, the California Energy Commission’s lead on energy efficiency. “This technology provides improved service, lowers consumers' utility bills, and avoids greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production. We are proud to be part of this very positive step forward toward greater efficiency."</p>
<p>“This agreement will help achieve President Obama’s emissions reduction goal by reducing carbon pollution emissions by 57 million metric tons by 2030 – that’s equivalent to the emissions from driving 12 million cars for a year,” noted Lauren Urbanek, a senior energy policy advocate with the Natural Resources Defense Council. “And those reductions will continue for years into the future. Once these standards are adopted and working behind the scenes, they’ll save energy, money, and avoid pollution while Americans continue enjoying their backyard pools.”</p>
<p>John Caskey, VP of Operations for NEMA said, “The negotiated rulemaking process is a valuable tool for the US Department of Energy to use to bring stakeholders together to develop well thought-out energy efficiency regulations. From my personal experience on ASRAC, it’s an ideal method for refining product scope and input assumptions to produce the best life cycle cost/benefit analysis possible.”</p>
<p>The standards are scheduled to take effect in 2021.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>- Marianne DiMascio</p>
<p><em><strong>Marianne DiMascio</strong> is the outreach coordinator for the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP). She creates awareness of and builds support for appliance efficiency standards on both the federal and state level. She is co-author of </em>The Efficiency Boom: Cashing In on the Savings from Appliance Standards<em>. She joined ASAP in 2008. </em><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/interface/clear.gif" alt=""/></p>Is the Perfect Wall Realistic?tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-07-18:6069565:BlogPost:2061412016-07-18T21:35:13.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/847.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/847.jpg"></img></a> Wrong question. The right question is what can we do to help builders design and construct more perfect walls without losing their shirts? At Building America, we have an idea for a tool to do this.</p>
<p>Since 1995, <a href="http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/building-america-bringing-building-innovations-market" target="_blank">Building America Program</a> experts have developed more than 100 innovations that…</p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/847.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/847.jpg" class="align-left"/></a>Wrong question. The right question is what can we do to help builders design and construct more perfect walls without losing their shirts? At Building America, we have an idea for a tool to do this.</p>
<p>Since 1995, <a href="http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/building-america-bringing-building-innovations-market" target="_blank">Building America Program</a> experts have developed more than 100 innovations that help save households across the nation up to $50 billion. One of the most prolific building scientists in the history of the program<sup><a id="_ftnref1" title="" href="http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/perfect-wall-realistic#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]</a> </sup>is Joseph W. Lstiburek<sup><a id="_ftnref2" title="" href="http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/perfect-wall-realistic#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2">[2]</a></sup>, Ph. D., P. Eng.<sup><a id="_ftnref3" title="" href="http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/perfect-wall-realistic#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3">[3]</a></sup> of Building Science Corporation. Many folks call him Dr. Joe. He has worked for decades helping builders improve the thermal performance and durability of their buildings. Dr. Joe knows building envelopes<sup><a id="_ftnref4" title="" href="http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/perfect-wall-realistic#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4">[4]</a></sup> – the good, the bad, and the ugly. And he speaks and writes (a lot) about what he calls the “perfect wall system” which elegantly describes the four essential functions of the protective layers outside the building’s structural skeleton. Dr. Joe and his detailed drawings have taught many thousands of building professionals how to effectively control water, air, vapor, and heat flow through building assemblies.</p>
<p>But, even Dr. Joe would admit that his “perfect wall system” is only perfect <em>IF</em> its principles are correctly adapted to the building type and climate zone, and <em>WHEN</em> it is installed correctly with the right material choices. These <em>IF</em>s and <em>WHEN</em>s are not easy. If done right, moisture-managed high-R walls deliver durable, zero energy ready levels of performance with little to no risk of building failures. If done wrong, extra insulation and vapor barriers in the wrong place can cause all sorts of nasty moisture problems. This is why it’s so hard for builders to try innovative envelope solutions. This fear of doing it wrong. There are countless complex decisions involved in specifying and constructing building envelope systems today. Without expert knowledge guiding the design and construction of any new high-R wall systems, they can be risky and/or expensive business for builders. Risky business means fewer builders using innovations to improve envelope performance.</p>
<p>This is the essence of the challenge we’ve taken on with the Building America High Performance Moisture Managed Envelope Solutions Roadmap, described in the <a href="http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/downloads/building-america-program-research-market-plan" target="_blank"><em>Building America Research-to-Market Plan</em></a>. To meet our aggressive long-term program goals of enabling massive adoption of zero energy ready homes, we need to help the construction industry to specify and build more “perfect” envelope systems - <em>easily and cost-effectively</em>. To do that, we will need to help remove the technical and business risks of adopting new, high performance envelope systems.</p>
<p>And since there aren’t enough building science experts to go around, we will also need to find better ways to make that expert advice more accessible. We need more than just guidance documents for that. Among other things, we need <em>tools that building professionals can use to efficiently learn and access building science knowledge and expert advice</em>.</p>
<p>We have already built one such expert tool. The <a href="https://basc.pnnl.gov/" target="_blank">Building America Solution Center</a> was launched back in 2012, and it keeps getting better. Today, the solution center is visited more than 40,000 times a month. And we’ve added some great new features lately, including advanced search filters that help zero in on building science expertise from over ten world-class research teams and four national laboratories. If you haven’t been to the solution center lately, you’re missing out.</p>
<p>But every builder knows you need the right tool for the task, and it takes a lot of tools to build a house. The solution center is a great tool to help you implement best practices once you have decided which ones to implement. But the solution center is not designed to help you make the complex decisions about which high performance wall design is right for your application. Which envelope solutions will deliver the best value to your customers with the least risk to your business? Today, to help you with these tough decisions, we have a stack of guidance documents and a handful of experts like Dr. Joe who don’t have enough time to teach and advise every builder in the country.</p>
<p>Wouldn’t it be cool if we could put all of the best building science expert wisdom in a user-friendly design tool that helps you with those complex decisions? Well, we have just begun an effort to do just that. Last week, we met with scientists from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and some of the world’s top experts on durable high performance wall system design to begin developing an online “expert system” tool that can help builders through moisture-managed high performance envelope design decisions. The tool will draw from Building America research projects, lab and field test measurements of high performance wall systems, computer aided risk analysis, and the expert judgement needed to make sense out of all the data.</p>
<p>Users will be prompted to enter relevant information about the building location, design, and material selection options. Influential factors such as climate, building air tightness, material properties, and internal moisture loads (people) will be taken into consideration to estimate and compare the moisture durability performance of several design options at once. Users will be able to more confidently select the assembly design characteristics that achieve their design goals with the least risk. Links to design-specific guidance will also be provided to help users manage any remaining risks.</p>
<p>We believe that helping builders to truly understand risks, simplifying complicated decision-making processes, and validating cost competitive solutions, will help them make better decisions and move the industry forward to the next generation of high performance zero energy ready homes. We hope this new tool concept will be a big step toward achieving this goal.</p>
<p>If you want to be on the list of beta testers or if you want to share ideas about research needs that you think Building America needs to tackle, tell me about it. My <a href="mailto:Eric.Werling@ee.doe.gov" target="_blank">email door</a> is always open.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>Eric Werling</strong> is a Building America Program Coordinator for the Energy Department's Building Technologies Office. </em></p>
<p><em><a id="_ftn1" title="" href="http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/perfect-wall-realistic#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">[1]</a> As of today, there are 36 Lstiburek documents listed in the Building America Solution Center, more than any other author – by a lot. Second place is “EPA” which isn’t really a person, and third is “BSC”, short for Building Science Corporation. We should probably fix that.<br/><a id="_ftn2" title="" href="http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/perfect-wall-realistic#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2">[2]</a> “It’s pronounced Stē – brĭk” (direct quote from one of Dr. Lstiburek’s t-shirts).<br/><a id="_ftn3" title="" href="http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/perfect-wall-realistic#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3">[3]</a> Canadian for PE, which is American for Professional Engineer.<br/><a id="_ftn4" title="" href="http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/perfect-wall-realistic#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4">[4]</a> He says Enclosure, we say Envelope. Same thing.</em></p>
<p></p>
<p><em>This blog originally appeared on <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/847/nav/blog" target="_blank">www.homeenergy.org</a>.</em></p>Boosting Insulation Can Reduce Energy Use, Pollutiontag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-07-18:6069565:BlogPost:2059582016-07-18T21:32:36.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p>Those of us working within the building industry or energy efficiency space in existing homes know that boosting insulation levels can reduce energy use, cut consumer costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, there’s been a modest amount of data to quantify the extent of the benefits—particularly at the state level. Until now.</p>
<p>New …</p>
<p>Those of us working within the building industry or energy efficiency space in existing homes know that boosting insulation levels can reduce energy use, cut consumer costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, there’s been a modest amount of data to quantify the extent of the benefits—particularly at the state level. Until now.</p>
<p>New <a href="http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/11/3/034017/meta;jsessionid=453A5BA99C74E0C82D1712BA255619FC.c4" target="_blank">research</a> from the Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) finds that increasing insulation levels in existing U.S. to the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) level would:</p>
<ul>
<li>Cut total U.S. electricity consumption by 37 billion kilowatt hours, equal to the annual use of 3.4 million homes</li>
<li>Slash natural gas consumption by 9%</li>
<li>Cut Propane Use by 10%</li>
<li>Reduce Fuel Oil Consumption by 12%</li>
</ul>
<p>The report includes state-level data, showing the estimated percentage of energy savings by category (electricity, natural gas, propane) and quantifies the resulting reduction in (CO<sub>2</sub>) emissions. In addition, it estimates the financial savings and improvement in public health that could be realized with the efficiency measure.</p>
<p>The report also yields some interesting findings—including a list of the top 10 states that could save the most on electricity and natural gas by increasing insulation levels in existing homes (see graphic below).</p>
<p><img src="http://homeenergy.org/js/tinymce/source/The%20Insulation%20Top%2010-page-001.jpg" alt="" width="488" height="632"/></p>
<p>In all, increased residential insulation would reduce annual CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from power plants by 80 million tons, and produce other benefits, including 30 million fewer tons of CO<sub>2</sub> per year from direct residential combustion and 320 fewer premature deaths per year associated with air pollution from power plants and direct residential combustion.</p>
<p>“Approximately 90 percent of U.S. homes are under-insulated and this study now provides data describing what we could achieve by addressing this huge population of homes,” said Curt Rich, president and CEO of NAIMA.</p>
<p>BUSPH viewed the research as the type of state-level energy efficiency measure that states choose to pursue to as part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan, which sets state-specific targets to reduce carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) emissions from power plants or as part of other environmental or utility programs.</p>
<p>“Our study provides insight about the benefits of residential energy efficiency for each state in the continental U.S., an important feature given large variations between states and the fact that each state will develop its own strategy to respond to the Clean Power Plan. Our results align with previously published values that show important benefits of increasing insulation levels in U.S. homes,” said BUSPH Professor Jonathan I. Levy, who led the research team that conducted the study.</p>
<p>North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) sponsored this research and a similar study in 2000, which estimated a mortality reduction as well as a drop in CO<sub>2</sub>emissions by approximately 1 ton per year per home. By comparison, the 2015 reduction in CO<sub>2</sub> emissions is 1.4 tons per year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>Stacy Fitzgerald-Redd</strong> is the director of communications for the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA).</em></p>
<p></p>
<p><em>This blog originally appeared on <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/850/nav/blog" target="_blank">www.homeenergy.org</a>. </em></p>11 Flavors of Sustainable Housingtag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-06-13:6069565:BlogPost:2041212016-06-13T15:00:00.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/836.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/836.jpg?width=124" width="124"></img></a> Keeping track of what's going on in the world of low-impact, sustainable housing is, and was, a challenge.</p>
<p>We did a study for <a href="https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/bude/himu/loimho/index.cfm" target="_blank">CMHC</a> back in the early 00's looking for great examples for a series of case studies that required collecting a ton of info on many projects. CMHC published only 3 of 24 case studies, but…</p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/836.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/836.jpg?width=124" width="124" class="align-right"/></a>Keeping track of what's going on in the world of low-impact, sustainable housing is, and was, a challenge.</p>
<p>We did a study for <a href="https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/bude/himu/loimho/index.cfm" target="_blank">CMHC</a> back in the early 00's looking for great examples for a series of case studies that required collecting a ton of info on many projects. CMHC published only 3 of 24 case studies, but we had hundreds of submissions to a survey that we sent out to over 7,000 design professionals in 2004 and 2005.</p>
<p>We chose the term 'low impact housing' to describe the database because we were looking at the gamut of housing projects affiliated with so many different programs and standards:</p>
<ul>
<li>Sustainable</li>
<li>Ecological</li>
<li>Factor Four</li>
<li>Factor Nine</li>
<li>Green</li>
<li>Healthy</li>
<li>Low Emission</li>
<li>Passivhaus</li>
<li>Zero Emission</li>
<li>Zero Energy</li>
<li>Zero Carbon</li>
</ul>
<p>The common theme is that the programs, and the projects themselves, went far beyond being energy efficient. They all address a broad range of concerns about environmental impacts throughout the lifecycle of a house – from site selection through design and materials choices, construction, operation, maintenance and demolition.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://sealevel.ca/lowimpact/housing/search01.lasso" target="_blank">Low Impact Housing</a> database is still online, kept up by <a href="http://sealevel.ca/" target="_blank">Sealevel Special Projects</a> because it's a cool resource.</p>
<p>Go check it out!<br/><br/>Add your project!<br/><br/>Link it to other organizations compiling case studies!<br/> </p>
<p><em><strong>- Shawna Henderson </strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Shawna Henderson</strong>, CEO of <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/836/nav/www.bfreehomes.com" target="_blank">Bfreehomes</a> and <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/836/nav/www.bluehouseenergy.com" target="_blank">Blue House Energy</a>, is a certifiable building science wonk keeping it real in the field, making it real with online training for builders and renovators.</em></p>
<p><em>This blog originally appeared on the Bfreehomes website and is printed here with permission.</em></p>
<p><span>- See more at: <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/836/nav/blog#sthash.wLdiRBIF.dpuf">http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/836/nav/blog#sthash.wLdiRBIF.dpuf</a></span></p>Converging Trendstag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-06-06:6069565:BlogPost:2040232016-06-06T17:18:56.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><em><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/838.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/838.jpg"></img></a> Environmental Leader </em>recently described legal challenges faced by a <a href="http://www.environmentalleader.com/2016/04/04/clean-power-plan-good-for-business-say-major-us-brands/" target="_blank">business coalition</a> supporting the “Clean Power Plan.” Aside from the Supreme Court’s intervention, the coalition “is fighting more than …</p>
<p><em><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/838.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/838.jpg" class="align-left"/></a>Environmental Leader </em>recently described legal challenges faced by a <a href="http://www.environmentalleader.com/2016/04/04/clean-power-plan-good-for-business-say-major-us-brands/" target="_blank">business coalition</a> supporting the “Clean Power Plan.” Aside from the Supreme Court’s intervention, the coalition “is fighting more than <a href="http://www.environmentalleader.com/2015/10/26/industry-attacks-clean-power-plan-in-court/#ixzz3uVmggoeA" target="_blank">20 energy companies, other businesses and industry organizations</a>, and <a href="http://www.environmentalleader.com/2015/10/23/clean-power-plan-becomes-law-24-states-sue-to-block-the-carbon-rule/#ixzz3pQqSsTkQ" target="_blank">27 states that filed lawsuits</a> to overturn the EPA rules.”</p>
<p><em>US Chamber of Commerce</em> President Tom Donohue recently commented about the 166 state and local Chamber affiliates fighting the Clean Power Plan: the groups are "natural allies in the fight because the states will be on the hook for these radical, federally mandated reductions.”</p>
<p>While some <a href="http://blog.aee.net/clean-power-plan-is-on-hold-but-utilities-are-planning-for-it-anyway?utm_source=hs_email&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=28202828&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz--En9fwS7WXNmntOn-pZoULFSfvk8SBZ5bNW110Ue-4S1fPiOPr6BUMspZ0-Oj_jPI5tMH_A5cxJOobGWsptQ89fRFRVA&amp;_hsmi=28202828" target="_blank">utilities</a> disregard the controversy and continue working toward Power Plan goals, reduced emissions resulting from the Plan are difficult to predict. </p>
<p>Other business organizations are promoting market-based emission reduction. For example, <em>The American Sustainable Business Council </em>has a <a href="http://asbcouncil.org/action-center/campaigns/pass-carbon-tax" target="_blank">campaign</a> promoting a carbon tax as a “market” solution. Although 81 of the largest US companies signed President Obama's “American Business Climate Pledge,” Republicans called Obama’s proposed <a href="http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/26542?utm_source=Sailthru&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Feb%205%202016&amp;utm_term=Enewsletter" target="_blank">carbon tax</a> "dead on arrival". The potential for emission reduction from a carbon tax is also difficult to predict.</p>
<p>And despite remarkable global growth, renewables supply only 1.1% of the world’s energy, compared to 60.4% by coal and oil, according to the <a href="http://iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/keyworld2014.pdf" target="_blank"><em>International Energy Agency </em></a>(pages 6 and 28). </p>
<p>With obstacles filling the clean energy landscape, business efforts to create a low-carbon future need to look more closely at the biggest piece of the residential energy pie. DOE’s <em>2011 Buildings <a href="http://en.openei.org/doe-opendata/dataset/6aaf0248-bc4e-4a33-9735-2babe4aef2a5/resource/3edf59d2-32be-458b-bd4c-796b3e14bc65/download/2011bedb.pdf" target="_blank">Energy Data Book</a></em><a href="http://en.openei.org/doe-opendata/dataset/6aaf0248-bc4e-4a33-9735-2babe4aef2a5/resource/3edf59d2-32be-458b-bd4c-796b3e14bc65/download/2011bedb.pdf" target="_blank"> </a>indicates that “space heating and cooling – which combined account for 54% of site energy consumption and 43% of primary energy consumption –drive residential energy demand (page 62).” </p>
<p>Despite this glaring target, US efficiency programs have done little to curb space conditioning energy, or improve the thermal performance of our country’s 130 million homes. And no improvement is expected in the near future, according to a recent <em>American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy</em> <a href="http://aceee.org/sites/default/files/publications/researchreports/u1507.pdfhttp://aceee.org/sites/default/files/publications/researchreports/u1507.pdf%20" target="_blank">publication</a>, “New Horizons for Energy Efficiency: Major Opportunities to Reach Higher Electricity Savings by 2030”. They credit whole-building retrofits with only 1% of emerging efficiency investments. The <em>ACEEE</em> report suggests that space conditioning will remain the largest piece of homeowner energy expense. </p>
<p>Several trends have converged to create an opportunity for utilities to cut space conditioning energy by financing high performance retrofits, for metropolitan or small town homeowners:</p>
<ul>
<li>Utilities are responding to emission constraints and state utility commissions with growing demand-side investment.</li>
<li>Existing efficiency programs are not taking steps to reduce the largest portion of residential energy demand, space conditioning.</li>
<li>Several home performance scoring systems have been developed, including <a href="http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/home-energy-score" target="_blank">this</a> from DOE.</li>
<li>The insulation industry has created high performance thermal systems.</li>
<li>Utilities are pursuing new opportunities to improve service and retain customers.</li>
<li>RESNET has connected performance scoring to the energy code, and introduced real estate and appraisal professionals to the value of high performance.</li>
<li>Utilities are facing disruptive challenges including renewables, customer retention, power plant closure, and peak overload.</li>
<li>Utility-financed residential solar exists at a limited pilot scale, but faces many challenges including unresolved maintenance and liability issues.</li>
</ul>
<p>These trends elevate the feasibility of a utility-scale program to optimize the thermal performance of customer homes. Homeowners would enjoy greater comfort without new expense, and use the least amount of space conditioning energy. On-bill financing for the retrofit results in a long term customer for the utility. And the value of measured demand reduction would allow utilities to offer optimized retrofits at no new cost to the current or future homeowner. </p>
<p>Without tax dollars or government agencies, the utility, construction and insulation industries could collaborate to seal our leaky homes. An example of similar private sector conservation can be found in 1980’s recycling. The waste hauling industry adjusted a historical disinterest in conservation and began offering household recycling as a new service for customers. Without public financing, private industry was able to maintain flow control, create jobs and conserve resources.</p>
<p>As an expanded utility service to residential customers, thermal optimization would give local economies a much-needed jolt. The task may seem large, but the value of greater resilience and fewer emissions would increase over the life of an optimized home. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>- Rick Barnett</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong><br/><a href="http://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/RickBarnett" target="_self">Rick Barnett</a></strong> has a B.A. in psychology and an Interdisciplinary Masters in Environmental Management. Before becoming a builder, Rick was involved with recycling, including the initiation of the first campus-wide recycling program in the US, at Oregon State University in 1975.</em></p>
<p><em>Rick started Green Builder in 1996, and initiated several public sector green building programs over the next 10 years. As a general contractor, his experience included several rigid-wrapped high performance projects. His current focus is promoting high performance homes. </em></p>
<p><span>This blog originally appeared on <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/838/nav/blog" target="_blank">www.homeenergy.org</a>. </span></p>My Apartment in Tokyotag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-06-02:6069565:BlogPost:2038702016-06-02T16:56:34.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1614/26136249203_953e456103_b.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" height="233" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1614/26136249203_953e456103_b.jpg" width="311"></img></a> Every time I visit Japan I learn something new, and my most recent trip was no exception. This time I stayed in an apartment, which exposed me to several new energy-related devices. First, what’s this gadget attached to the wall? (See photo below.)</p>
<p>Reading the Japanese isn’t terribly informative, because the label just says it’s a “peak alarm unit.” The apartment’s owner pays the…</p>
<p><a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1614/26136249203_953e456103_b.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1614/26136249203_953e456103_b.jpg" class="align-left" width="311" height="233"/></a>Every time I visit Japan I learn something new, and my most recent trip was no exception. This time I stayed in an apartment, which exposed me to several new energy-related devices. First, what’s this gadget attached to the wall? (See photo below.)</p>
<p>Reading the Japanese isn’t terribly informative, because the label just says it’s a “peak alarm unit.” The apartment’s owner pays the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)—the utility that brought you the Fukushima catastrophe—a monthly “fuse” charge. This means that if your apartment’s total demand exceeds a certain number of amperes, a circuit breaker triggers and everything shuts off. So you must carefully manage your electric appliances, because if too many are on at once, you lose power. That’s why you need a National BQX960011011!</p>
<p>The colored LEDs give you a rough measure of your current power use; when the red LED appears, it’s time to scurry around and shut off the water heater, A/C, or a couple of elements on the electric stove. There’s no need to constantly watch the display, because it takes only a few days to get a sense for what appliances can’t be operated at the same time. Besides, an audible alarm goes off if you stay in the red zone for more than a moment. So this is how Japanese consumers save peak power. Even though smart meters haven’t reached Japan, these demand savings in Japanese apartments might still help TEPCO to reduce its peak demand.</p>
<p>The photo on the right (above) is a remote control for the water heater. It allows you to easily monitor the amount of hot water that is available, or even to switch it off when you go away. The display shows that the (electric-resistance) heater holds only 80 liters (21 gallons), but the temperature is a scalding 87°C (190°F). I wasn’t sure why they kept the water so hot, but it might be to make sure that visitors wouldn’t run out of hot water in the middle of a bath (which uses more hot water than American baths). Or perhaps the owner simply never checked the temperature.</p>
<p>My apartment’s toilet was old school, because it had only a heated seat. Newer toilets squirt warm water, blow air, and have motor-assisted flushes. A few models even raise the lid when they sense a person nearby. One toilet manufacturer, Toto, offers models that perform urine analyses to better monitor old people’s well-being. In these ways, the toilet is being transformed into a major energy-consuming appliance.</p>
<p>One of the small but intriguing changes in Japanese homes is the proliferation of fixed remote controls. For example, most toilets now include a wireless remote flush that affixes to the wall in a more convenient location than on the side of the toilet. The water heater control and several room lights had similar remotes.</p>
<p>My apartment quickly revealed to me Japan’s differing priorities in saving energy and peak power. I also acquired a new skill: juggling appliance electricity demand. If you get a chance to visit Japan, avoid the hotels and find an apartment. You will learn all sorts of new skills and habits.</p>
<p></p>
<p>- <strong>Alan Meier</strong> <em>is Senior Executive Editor of Home Energy magazine. This article first appeared in the <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/article/id/2125/viewFull/" target="_blank">May/June 2016 issue</a>. </em></p>Increasing Home Value Through Energy Upgradestag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-04-06:6069565:BlogPost:2012382016-04-06T17:30:12.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/819.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/819.jpg"></img></a> It turns out that one of the most valuable remodeling options is one you can’t see. That’s the conclusion of the recent <a href="http://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2016/" target="_blank"><em>Cost vs. Value Report</em></a> by <em>Remodeling</em> magazine, which compares the average cost for popular remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale value in 100 different U.S. markets. For…</p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/819.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/819.jpg" class="align-left"/></a>It turns out that one of the most valuable remodeling options is one you can’t see. That’s the conclusion of the recent <a href="http://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2016/" target="_blank"><em>Cost vs. Value Report</em></a> by <em>Remodeling</em> magazine, which compares the average cost for popular remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale value in 100 different U.S. markets. For the first time, <em>Remodeling</em> included an energy efficiency measure—fiberglass attic insulation—and the results were a great indicator of the value provided by energy upgrades.</p>
<p>Most projects covered in the report have a higher cost than value, with homeowners only recouping an average of 64 cents on the dollar for the 30 remodeling projects examined. The highest return project in the report this year—and the only one with a greater-than-100-percent cost vs. value ratio when averaged out nationally—was an attic insulation project. The researchers found a 166 percent return, based on an estimated average cost of $1,268 and an increase in real estate value just 12 months later of $1,482. </p>
<h2>Broad Spectrum of Values</h2>
<p>The return on investment from recouped value at the time of sale is only one way in which energy upgrades like attic insulation can create winning propositions for homeowners. Homeowners can also enjoy <a href="https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_opportunity" target="_blank">savings from decreased utility bills</a> and other lower expenses, and get further value from the joy and pride they get from living in a high performance, healthy, and comfortable home. </p>
<p>Beyond evidence of improved asset values from the recent Cost vs. Value Report, new research is finding strong evidence of these other reasons why energy upgrades are a “win, win, win” on expense savings, joy, comfort, and health for consumers:</p>
<ul>
<li>Operational Costs: One of the best reasons to complete energy upgrades is the significant savings in energy expenses. <a href="http://www.realtor.org/reports/remodeling-impact" target="_blank">A recent Remodeling Impact Survey by the National Association of Realtors (NAR)</a> found energy efficiency was the third most common reason consumers gave for making changes to their home. </li>
</ul>
<p><img src="http://blog.rmi.org/Content/Images/blog_2016_03_22-INFO-1.png" alt="" width="300" height="185" align="middle"/></p>
<p><em>Source: 2015 NAR Remodeling Impact Survey</em></p>
<p>The amount of energy saved will vary based on the cost of energy supplied in a region, the climate, and local material and labor costs, so a remote or in-person audit is one of the best tools to determine the measures that will work best for a home. <a href="http://blog.rmi.org/blog_2015_10_14_residential_energy_plus_and_transparency_making_value_visible_for_home_energy_performance" target="_blank">Efforts to create energy cost estimates</a> that calculate projected operational costs in total cost of homeownership calculations are a critical tool to translate operational costs into asset value. </p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Joy:</strong> The NAR survey also asked consumers about the happiness they get from seeing their completed project. They created a 1–10 “joy score,” where higher scores indicated greater joy from the project. Attic insulation received a joy score of 8.7, with sixty-one percent of homeowners reporting a “major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project.” Attic insulation, like many efficiency measures, is “invisible” for homeowners, so these results are promising, especially if <a href="http://blog.rmi.org/blog_2016_02_22_true_reality_tv_finding_the_right_time_and_place_for_home_energy_performance" target="_blank">clever engagement campaigns</a> can leverage this satisfaction through social norms and other behavioral tools. </li>
<li><strong>Comfort:</strong> Well-designed energy upgrades, including HVAC and envelope projects, can significantly improve the comfort of homes, which we know <a href="http://michigansaves.org/upload/file/BetterBuildings%20for%20Michigan%20Final%20Report%20(website).pdf" target="_blank">matters to consumers</a>.<a href="http://www.rmi.org/innovationcenter_thermal_comfort" target="_blank">Thermal comfort</a> is made up of a number of factors, including air and surface temperature, humidity, and clothing and activity level, and upgrades to enable better control of these factors can make homes and businesses more comfortable places to live and work. </li>
<li><strong>Health:</strong> The Physicians for Social Responsibility and American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy have <a href="http://aceee.org/sites/default/files/ee-health-1008.pdf" target="_blank">highlighted</a> the positive impacts of energy efficiency on the respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems. This value will likely be higher for populations more at risk for complications with those systems, and in areas with higher levels of pollution and lower-quality housing. <a href="http://www.greenandhealthyhomes.org/sites/default/files/Sustainable-Funding-and-Business-Case-for-GHHI-Home-Interventions-for-Asthma-Patients_0.pdf" target="_blank">Studies of comprehensive energy, health, and safety retrofit programs</a> found that for children with asthma, hospital admissions fell by nearly 85 percent and emergency visits by 68 percent a year after the upgrade. </li>
</ul>
<p>As consumers increase their understanding of the connection between energy upgrades and their priorities, like comfort, health, privacy and others, resale value is likely to further increase the demand for these measures. However, long payback periods and regional variation have frustrated past efforts to make this resale value clear to market participants like remodelers and real estate agents. </p>
<h2>Attic Insulation: A Great Place to Start</h2>
<p>The Cost vs. Value Report authors had long been interested in including an energy efficiency measure in their assessment of resale value. However, they were hesitant to do so because of their focus on resale value within 12 months of the project and need for cost and value data across many cities. Measures with long payback periods and that vary significantly from incentive programs and climate could create challenges for these researchers. </p>
<p>That explains why attic insulation was a great first choice. The project itself is a two-step process. In the first step, a professional remodeler air-seals an attic floor in order to address any air leakage from conditioned spaces to unconditioned spaces. He or she then adds fiberglass loose-fill insulation, placing it on top of existing insulation if present, until an R-30 insulation value is reached. </p>
<p>R-value is a measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat traveling through it, with higher values representing better thermal performance. R-30 was selected as a baseline level that would enable all major metro areas in the U.S. to be included in the survey, despite variation in <a href="https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_insulation_table" target="_blank">climate</a>, building stock, and code requirements. As a result, the amount of insulation installed for this project will vary by area, as R-30 insulation is actually below code in some parts of the U.S. and beyond code in others.</p>
<p>Higher levels of insulation are likely to involve a slightly lower return on investment, but purely from the perspective of real estate valuation. The 2015 <a href="http://www.realtor.org/reports/remodeling-impact" target="_blank">NAR survey</a> examined the cost recouped from a project upgrading from R-13 to R-48 across the country and found a 95-percent return. However, higher levels of insulation are also likely to yield greater energy savings, and therefore expense savings, for homeowners. </p>
<p>While results varied from market to market, attic insulation had positive value relative to cost in 60 of the 100 markets, with the highest ratios in the New England, Pacific, and West South Central (TX, OK, LA, AR) regions. </p>
<p><img src="http://blog.rmi.org/Content/Images/blog_2016_03_22-INFO-2.png" alt="" width="300" height="272" align="middle"/></p>
<p><em>Source: </em>Remodeling<em> Magazine Cost vs. Value 2016</em></p>
<h2>Beyond Attic Insulation</h2>
<p>Attic insulation isn’t the only energy upgrade project that’s a winning proposition. <a href="http://www.cherp.net/sites/default/files/ec_pro/cherp/ValueofGreenHomeLabelsStudy_July2012.pdf" target="_blank">Recent</a> <a href="http://pearlcertification.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/HighPerformance_Home_Valuation_Report_Sept2015.pdf" target="_blank">studies</a> of energy labels and certifications, which demonstrate completion of a package of measures rather than single measures, find positive impact on asset value, with premiums of 2–9 percent depending on the certification and market. A <a href="http://faculty.business.utsa.edu/tthomson/papers/TAJ_WI15_Feat2-EmpiricalAssessmentGreen.pdf" target="_blank">rigorous study</a> of 66,000 San Antonio homes found that a green designation, like a label or certification, increases selling price by almost 1 percent and that energy efficient features raise selling price by about 6 percent.</p>
<p>For homeowners interested in deciding on particular energy upgrade projects beyond attic insulation, recent studies suggest that solar PV will add value to homes over and above the operational cost savings. A <a href="https://emp.lbl.gov/sites/all/files/lbnl-6484e_0.pdf" target="_blank">Berkeley Lab analysis from 2013</a> found a strong premium for homes with PV systems in California, with higher premiums for larger and newer systems. In particular, it found that for an average system (2.9 years old, 3.7 kW), the average estimated premium is $24,851, and that each 1-kW increase in size equates to a $5,911 higher premium and each year systems age equates to a $2,411 lower premium.</p>
<p>Other specific energy efficiency projects that feature favorable recouped value, in addition to their wide range of energy saving, comfort, health, and joy benefits include:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>HVAC systems:</strong> HVAC systems tend to represent the <a href="http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=10271&amp;src=%E2%80%B9%20Consumption%20%20%20%20%20%20Residential%20Energy%20Consumption%20Survey%20(RECS)-b1" target="_blank">largest single category</a> of energy end use in most U.S. homes. Unsurprisingly, the survey found a recovered value of 71 percent for projects in which older heating and cooling is replaced with new high efficiency gas furnace and ENERGY STAR-rated central air conditioning. In the same survey, one out of five realtors suggested new HVAC to their clients before selling a home. These projects can have significant expense savings as well—cutting heating bills by <a href="http://energy.gov/energysaver/furnaces-and-boilers" target="_blank">as much as half</a>, depending on the unit selected and envelope and airtightness of the home. </li>
<li><strong>Envelope-related improvements:</strong> New roofing, doors, and siding, and the insulation and sealing associated with those improvements, can have <a href="http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/grho/grho_011.cfm" target="_blank">significant impacts</a> on the operational costs of a home. These impacts are particularly robust in a package of measures—consumers that retrofit the envelope first can reduce the size of the furnace needed, thereby saving on the cost of new furnaces. Envelope measures tend to have longer paybacks than attic insulation, with recouped values of 75–83 percent depending on the project. </li>
<li><strong>Water heating:</strong> Heating water consumes ~18 percent of a home’s energy use on average. Upgrading can provide significant benefits—especially upgrading to air source heat pump water heaters, which also help cool the home, and <a href="http://blog.rmi.org/blog_2016_02_24_water_heaters_as_sexy_as_a_tesla" target="_blank">grid interactive water heaters</a>, which can produce alternative revenue streams through energy arbitrage (profiting from price differences where time-varying rates are in place), avoided generation, transmission and distribution, and renewables integration, depending on the market.</li>
</ul>
<div><p>Each of these measures has the potential to significantly reduce ongoing home operating expenses and provide benefits like improved comfort, pride and satisfaction in improving one’s home, and improved health for inhabitants. As we improve the availability of information about these benefits on real estate listings, the recognized asset value of these projects is likely to increase, creating the opportunity for even stronger returns relative to the cost of the project. </p>
<h2>Looking Ahead</h2>
<p><em>Remodeling </em>magazine’s <em>Cost vs. Value Report</em> and the NAR’s Remodeling Impact Survey help identify the value of energy upgrade projects for homeowners and contractors. By identifying regional variation and the additional value propositions, like joy, which these measures bring to homeowners, these studies make valuable investments more transparent for the marketplace. RMI’s <a href="http://www.rmi.org/residentialenergyplus" target="_blank">Residential Energy+</a> program is working with a variety of stakeholders across the marketplace to support efforts to further increase the transparency and visibility of the value of these upgrades for consumers, remodelers, real estate agents, appraisers, and other market participants. As consumers understand the impact of energy upgrades on the value of their home, their monthly expenses, and their comfort, health, and joy, they will be more likely to upgrade their homes—a critical step in mitigating the effects of climate change. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>Rachel Gold</strong> is a senior associate at Rocky Mountain Institute. </em></p>
</div>
<div class="clearer"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/interface/clear.gif" alt=""/></div>
<p><span>- See more at: <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/819/nav/blog#sthash.Z4ApflC5.dpuf">http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/819/nav/blog#sthash.Z4ApflC5.dpuf</a></span></p>Energy Fit: Engaging Consumer Experiences That Lead to Better Energy Habitstag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-04-06:6069565:BlogPost:2011212016-04-06T17:28:50.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/820.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/820.jpg"></img></a> Fitness wearables inspire people to change; to exercise more in order to meet their daily goals. These sophisticated gadgets gather previously untapped data about our everyday lives to give us a better understanding of ourselves – otherwise known as the “quantified self.”</p>
<p>Like fitness wearables, exposing how we’re using energy can unlock our collective potential to reduce our electricity bills and our…</p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/820.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/820.jpg" class="align-right"/></a>Fitness wearables inspire people to change; to exercise more in order to meet their daily goals. These sophisticated gadgets gather previously untapped data about our everyday lives to give us a better understanding of ourselves – otherwise known as the “quantified self.”</p>
<p>Like fitness wearables, exposing how we’re using energy can unlock our collective potential to reduce our electricity bills and our impact on the environment. Without an itemized energy bill, or even better, home energy insights, we’re in the dark about how much energy home appliances use and how we can reduce energy use. Utilities have the potential to inspire people to reach their energy goals whether they are cost, usage, or lifestyle related.</p>
<h2>Disaggregation - The Basis for Home Energy Fitness</h2>
<p>Disaggregation technology uses Smart Meter data already installed in the home to measure how much energy is used by appliances like heaters, air conditioners, pool pumps or laundry machines/dryers. Quantifying home energy use and making the information easily accessible via a modern, consumer-friendly mobile app helps people make far better decisions to save money. Providing clear and personalized tips, such as the cost and savings potential of a home’s particular dryer, goes even further to reduce energy and provide engagement. That means for the first time, homeowners can understand how to change their behavior and/or upgrade their appliances to see the biggest impact on energy bills or achieve other energy related goals.</p>
<h2>Hooked - Making It Worth Consumers’ Time</h2>
<p>The "hooked" model for engagement and habits is a great one to follow when attempting to change the way people engage with energy. It’s the same model used by Fitbit. Triggers lead to actions, actions take lead to rewards, and rewards received lead to investment, which makes people more likely to respond to the next trigger. Repeat cycling transitions people from response to habit. The following is an example of how the hooked model can be used for energy change:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Trigger </strong>– Consumer receives a mobile push notification: "You're projected bill is $40 higher normal due to an 80% increase in A/C usage!"</li>
<li><strong>Action </strong>- Consumer taps the notification and acts on the recommendation to raise the temperature set point by 2 degrees.</li>
<li><strong>Reward </strong>- Bill projection comes back to the consumer's expectation as A/C usage and cost lowers, delivered as a game or with a goal element.</li>
<li><strong>Investment </strong>- Consumer shares how she saved money (and helped save the planet!) on her Facebook feed.</li>
</ol>
<h2>Flipping Engagement On Its Head</h2>
<p>Disaggregation and mobile apps give utilities the opportunity to leverage the Hooked model to instill new energy fit habits amongst consumers. It is the foundation for taking data in the home and turning it into insights for the consumer. These insights are unique to the consumer so they are more meaningful and contextually relevant in both timing and content (my appliance, my bill!). This leads to an ability to deliver specific information about actions that matter to the end-user. Leveraging disaggregation is literally an opportunity to reinvent how utilities engage with consumers.</p>
<p><em>Utilities can learn more about disaggregation by visiting the Bidgely website: <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/820/nav/www.bidgely.com" target="_blank">www.bidgely.com</a>. For consumers and energy efficiency professionals, spread the word about disaggregation by sharing this blog post.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>Steve Nguyen</strong> is the Marketing Head for Bidgely. He <span>heads marketing to help empower consumers and inform utilities through Bidgely's disaggregation technology and products. Prior to Bidgely, he ran corporate marketing and embedded solutions product marketing at IoT pioneer Echelon. </span></em></p>
<p><span>- See more at: <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/820/nav/blog#sthash.lsI1vrUE.dpuf">http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/820/nav/blog#sthash.lsI1vrUE.dpuf</a></span></p>Free Electricitytag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-03-11:6069565:BlogPost:1999212016-03-11T04:29:35.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1646/25382792005_d243418e72_b.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" height="320" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1646/25382792005_d243418e72_b.jpg" width="245"></img></a> A curious situation has recently arisen in electricity grids around the world: The wholesale price of electricity has occasionally gone negative. This means that the market will pay customers to use electricity. The grid in Texas experienced negative prices last September. Soon afterward, a Texan retail electricity provider—not to be confused with a utility—began offering residential…</p>
<p><a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1646/25382792005_d243418e72_b.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1646/25382792005_d243418e72_b.jpg" class="align-left" width="245" height="320"/></a>A curious situation has recently arisen in electricity grids around the world: The wholesale price of electricity has occasionally gone negative. This means that the market will pay customers to use electricity. The grid in Texas experienced negative prices last September. Soon afterward, a Texan retail electricity provider—not to be confused with a utility—began offering residential consumers “free” electricity during nights and weekends.</p>
<p>How can this be? Doesn’t this violate everything we learned about economics? Has electricity finally become too cheap to meter? Has the dream of nuclear power advocates finally been realized?</p>
<p>To be sure, negative wholesale electricity spot prices are rare. They occur only when there is an unusual confluence of circumstances on both the generation and the consumption side of the grid. Negative prices typically appear when demand falls quickly and generators cannot ramp down quickly enough. Some generators may find it cheaper to pay consumers to use more electricity than to switch off their power plants. Many people blame the unpredictable and growing output of wind farms and PV sites—whose electricity production is first in the loading order—for forcing coal, gas, and nuclear generators to quickly switch on and off. Others, however, blame these generators for being technologically inflexible. Still others blame the regulators and grid operators.</p>
<p>Perhaps free electricity is simply a transition problem. This surplus electricity will quickly disappear when large industries figure out how to exploit that cheap electricity, or when a few million electric vehicles learn to top off their “tanks” whenever there is a surplus, or when the generators become a little more flexible. The appearance of free electricity could also complicate a rising national controversy over the appropriate size of fixed monthly charges. This is a hugely complicated issue, affecting consumers who are generating some of their own power and consumers who are simply using energy efficiently. (We’ll be writing about that in the future.) But suppose free electricity becomes a permanent part of the energy landscape: How will this affect residential consumers? Whatever the long-term situation, free electricity is something the energy efficiency industry must confront.</p>
<div class="rightImage"><p><span class="caption">Arguably, free electricity is just an eye-catching form of time-of-use pricing. But consumers act strangely when something is free, not just very cheap. With free electricity, consumers will want appliances that enable them to make hay while the sun shines. Consumers don’t have many options today. The free electricity can be stored in batteries (including the batteries of electric vehicles), but this is still very expensive. Furthermore, only a few kWh can be stored that way (though the stored electricity might power an efficiently operated home for a few days). Electrical energy can also be converted and then stored as heat or “coolth.” The most popular option is to heat water. It’s cheap and simple and involves nothing more than installing a larger water heater. But every other storage option is more difficult to install or retrofit.</span></p>
</div>
<p>Alternatively, consumers can reschedule. There are obvious benefits of postponing electricity-intensive activities, such as clothes drying and dishwashing, until periods when electricity is free. Free electricity may encourage consumers to upsize their appliances, to accomplish as much as possible during those periods. Consumers might even buy a second dryer or dishwasher to maximize free use of electricity.</p>
<p>Finally, some homes will be able to precool and preheat their homes. Pools with multispeed pumps might be able to produce overclean water, to reduce filter pumping during pricier periods. These strategies are low-tech applications of energy storage, but they take careful planning to avoid homeowner inconvenience and discomfort. Internet-connected thermostats and other kinds of cloud-based management systems should make planning easier.</p>
<p>So there’s nothing glamorous involved in taking advantage of free electricity. The greatest hazard arises from controls that are incorrectly set, accidentally leading to consumption during the nonfree (and often high-tariff) periods. Those will be expensive mistakes.</p>
<p><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8892/17183018558_999ef3693c_m.jpg?width=100" width="100" class="align-left"/></p>
<p class="authorbox faintLightBlueBG"><strong>- Alan Meier </strong>is Senior Executive Editor of <em>Home Energy.</em></p>
<p><span>This article <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/article/magazine/147/nav/issues/id/2109" target="_blank">originally appeared</a> in <em>Home Energy</em>'s March/April issue.</span></p>Texas' Five-Star Butterfly and Hummingbird Retreattag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-02-16:6069565:BlogPost:1986502016-02-16T18:30:00.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5834/23984516752_6a79f5119e_m.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5834/23984516752_6a79f5119e_m.jpg?width=650" width="650"></img></a></p>
<p>[This blog is cross-posted from <a href="http://homeenergy.org" target="_blank"><em>Home Energy</em> Magazine</a>.]</p>
<p>By Doug Garrett</p>
<p></p>
<p>When we built our new home 50 miles from Austin on 21+ acres we made the decision to have all of our indoor water come from harvested rainwater and to make our flower gardens bigger than they were at our first country…</p>
<p><a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5834/23984516752_6a79f5119e_m.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5834/23984516752_6a79f5119e_m.jpg?width=650" width="650" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>[This blog is cross-posted from <a href="http://homeenergy.org" target="_blank"><em>Home Energy</em> Magazine</a>.]</p>
<p>By Doug Garrett</p>
<p></p>
<p>When we built our new home 50 miles from Austin on 21+ acres we made the decision to have all of our indoor water come from harvested rainwater and to make our flower gardens bigger than they were at our first country home.</p>
<p>I keep telling people about the scope of our organic, deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, native-Texas perennial flower garden. Here are a few factoids for your consideration. While planting the several thousand plants that now comprise our five-star butterfly and hummingbird resort, we unearthed a few hundred boulders and a lot of just plain big rocks. Yesterday we had a landscape firm haul off our waste heap of boulders.</p>
<p>They used an 18-ton-capacity dump truck and a front loader to do the work. The total haul at the end of the day, according to the truck scale tickets, was <em>194 tons</em> of rock! Those were only the smaller boulders we didn’t feel had enough <em>character</em> (as my wife, Ann, calls it) to deserve a place bordering one of the 56 flower beds. Yep, using nothing but hand tools, we dug up and moved into place over 400 tons of rock, filled all of the holes they left in the beds, and then planted thousands of perennials. Filling the holes the boulders left took a lot of dirt, too, but I can’t say how much, because I stopped counting a few years ago at around 250 tons. We get our mulch—rough-chipped wood from road or subdivision clearing—delivered in bulk, too. We usually get about 50 tons of mulch delivered every spring. Yes, we spread that using simple hay forks.</p>
<p>What has all of this gardening gotten us? You wouldn’t believe it unless you saw it. Our yard sounds like an aviary, and there are areas where the butterflies literally bounce off of you by the dozen when you walk through! We enjoy seeing songbirds, deer, butterflies, raptors, coyotes, and raccoons out every window. I have had the opportunity to sit at my home office desk and watch a red-tailed hawk swoop in to try and take a cardinal at the bird feeder 50 feet away. A few weeks ago I watched a bobcat slink across the gardens and pounce on a jackrabbit (which he somehow missed). It was so cool. How that rabbit got away I’ll never know. The bobcat appeared to have him dead to rights, as we say in Texas.</p>
<div class="rightImage" style="width: 240px;"><p><span class="caption">Gregg’s Blue Mist Flower. (Doug Garrett)</span></p>
<p><a title="100_1544" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/55393876@N07/24066537716/in/dateposted-public/"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1719/24066537716_da1028108c_m.jpg" alt="100_1544" height="137" width="240"/></a><br/> <span class="caption">Desert willow tree. (Doug Garrett)</span></p>
<p><a title="Untitled" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/55393876@N07/23465840973/in/dateposted-public/"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5770/23465840973_ed81a3033a_m.jpg" alt="Untitled" height="169" width="240"/></a><br/> <span class="caption">Red Salvia greggii. (Doug Garrett)</span></p>
</div>
<p>Are Texas native plants tough? We’ve only had 0.9 inches of rain over the last four months, and it’s been between 95°F and 106°F (24 days were over 100°F) the whole time.</p>
<p>We have the outside hose bibs plumbed to the well, so watering the yard is all that they and the well are used for. Because of the prolonged drought, our 850-foot well has been going out after 10–15 minutes of hand watering a day, so we’ve done almost no supplemental watering. Yet the gardens are all still green; we still have blooms, butterflies, and hummingbirds; and nothing has died yet!</p>
<p>Remember, all of our <em>indoor</em> water is harvested rainwater, and after hearing about the problems with our well, I’ll bet you are going to ask how is that cistern doing? We haven’t had a bit of trouble with that, thank you very much for asking! We moved in back in July of 2010, and over the last five years we’ve experienced the worst drought and highest temperatures ever recorded in Texas. Our cistern holds 16,500 gallons of rainwater. It overflows many times each year, and after four months without rain, it still has 10,500 gallons in reserve!</p>
<p>We started off being very conservative in how we used potable water. After five years of experience with this system, we now take long baths daily and don’t scrimp on the hot water! Since the water is as free as rain, and the heat is recovered waste heat from our geothermal heat pump, I say: Don’t worry, be happy!</p>
<p></p>
<div class="authorbio"><img class="headshot" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/9624818927_4c42cfd7ae_o.jpg" alt="" height="123" width="101"/><div class="headcaption"><div class="authorname"><a href="http://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/DougGarrett" target="_self">Doug Garrett</a> is president of Building Performance &amp; Comfort, Incorporated.</div>
</div>
<div class="headcaption"></div>
</div>The Discreet Charm of Attics and Crawl Spacestag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2016-01-07:6069565:BlogPost:1961072016-01-07T23:30:00.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1625/24025499636_e07408ba74_b.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" height="416" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1625/24025499636_e07408ba74_b.jpg" width="686"></img></a> You would be professionally remiss if you did not read “<a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/article/id/2097/nav/buildingenvelope" target="_blank">Attics and Crawl Spaces</a>” in this issue. The article by Terry Nordbye is a valuable reminder that home performance problems too often begin in the places that we least want to work on or inspect. Mold, dry rot, and despicable smells emanating…</p>
<p><a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1625/24025499636_e07408ba74_b.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1625/24025499636_e07408ba74_b.jpg" class="align-left" height="416" width="686"/></a>You would be professionally remiss if you did not read “<a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/article/id/2097/nav/buildingenvelope" target="_blank">Attics and Crawl Spaces</a>” in this issue. The article by Terry Nordbye is a valuable reminder that home performance problems too often begin in the places that we least want to work on or inspect. Mold, dry rot, and despicable smells emanating from these sites are responsible for both explicit and undiagnosed occupant afflictions. Terry illustrates the symptoms, the diagnoses, and the solutions through case studies and examples. In more than one case, Terry transformed an uninhabitable house into a comfortable home. The measures were not sexy and they did not rely on cutting-edge instrumentation or materials, but they were effective and long-lasting. At the same time, Terry’s article raises some broader issues that deserve attention.</p>
<p>Every one of Terry’s case studies begins with a struggle to gain access to the attic or crawl space. (Check out the memorable photos of dangling legs!) Why is it so difficult to enter attics and crawl spaces? The simple answer is that nobody expects people—at least average-sized people with average dexterity—to enter these places. Perhaps this logic is faulty. Perhaps we should assume that such spaces should be regularly visited and inspected. If these are the “integral organs” of the home, then don’t they deserve regular health checks? Building codes could be revised to assure people reasonably simple entry and movement within these spaces. Changes in building codes or best practices might also stimulate production of more effective ladders, doors, and catwalks. It might also encourage use of new types of insulation and materials that result in a tidier, cleaner, space. The goal would be to facilitate periodic and convenient inspections of attics and crawl spaces. To be sure, these spaces shouldn’t be destinations for picnics, but neither should visits generate fear and loathing. These doors shouldn’t create new energy leakage sites either since weatherization experts have spent decades fixing this problem in old homes.</p>
<p>On the subject of periodic visits, Terry mentioned how he inspected his retrofitted attics and crawl spaces after one year. What a great idea! Expensive, too, but perhaps this is the only way to ensure healthy “house organs.” In a perfect world, the original contractor would want to inspect his or her work. In a less-than-perfect world, perhaps a third party might take responsibility for it. Certainly the inspection would be easier if access was more convenient.</p>
<p>Terry’s goal in many cases was fixing an indoor environment problem, not energy waste. But these are so often inseparable: an energy-related defect causes the mold that leads to the health problems or material damages. We at Home Energy have stressed these linkages for decades. Health and comfort will only rise in priorities as Americans grow older, live in more energy-efficient homes, and generally have lower energy bills.</p>
<p>Finally, how do we clone experts like Terry? We need thousands more like him to tackle the millions of needy homes. Our present training systems are incapable of producing the number and quality of specialists that we require. Certainly this is linked to solving an equally critical question: How to we make certain that they will be paid a wage commensurate with their skills and the value they add to homes?</p>
<p>Now read “Attics and Crawl Spaces” and appreciate it for the practical solutions and as a springboard for larger technical issues.</p>
<p>By coincidence, I received a draft of Terry’s article after I spent most of a day in the least-accessible corner of my own attic wrestling out an old bathroom fan and replacing it with a new (nearly silent) one. The symptom was chronic mildew and I knew the solution involved a more powerful fan (with the duct actually attached to the fan) and insulation restored over the mildew sites. I wore a Tyvek suit, mask, and gloves—which is why I had to wait until summer passed—and happily discarded everything when finished. Getting in and out of the attic was half of the struggle; I would have appreciated being a foot shorter and 30 years younger. I’m still sore.</p>
<p></p>
<p>- Alan Meier </p>
<p><em>This article originally appeared in the <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/article/id/2095" target="_blank">January/February issue</a> of Home Energy magazine. </em></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/"></a></p>The Real Women of Home Performance: Marge Andersontag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2015-12-08:6069565:BlogPost:1942092015-12-08T15:44:17.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/788.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/788.jpg"></img></a> Marge Anderson is the Executive Vice President of Seventhwave, a non-profit that advances environmental and economic sustainability. Her passions include empowering practitioners through education, scaling energy efficiency, and making sustainability real for the under-served.</p>
<p><strong>Macie Melendez:</strong> How did you get started in the home performance industry?</p>
<p><strong>Marge…</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/788.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/788.jpg" class="align-left"/></a>Marge Anderson is the Executive Vice President of Seventhwave, a non-profit that advances environmental and economic sustainability. Her passions include empowering practitioners through education, scaling energy efficiency, and making sustainability real for the under-served.</p>
<p><strong>Macie Melendez:</strong> How did you get started in the home performance industry?</p>
<p><strong>Marge Anderson:</strong> I was asked to co-chair the Affordable Comfort conference when it came to Madison, Wisconsin in 1996. Energy efficiency and the home performance industry were both new to me. Two things captured my attention at that conference: first, the number of working-class people engaged in home performance. I’m from a working-class background myself, and energy efficiency felt very elitist to me in the early days. I was glad to see more class diversity in the residential sector. Second, I was impressed that so many small business owners were committed to doing the right thing through efficiency—even if they hadn’t figured out quite how to make money at it yet.</p>
<p><strong>MM:</strong> How has your career evolved?</p>
<p><strong>MA:</strong> Like so many people with a working-class background, I did not do much career planning. I had a fantastic undergraduate education at a women’s college, but never thought about what was next. I took a job canvassing to fundraise for social justice issues, and I still use those skills every day. Then I managed marketing at an architectural-engineering firm until I took over education at Seventhwave. Education and outreach are so essential to our mission of economic and environmental sustainability that I was able to move up from there. Now I oversee all of our education—including the Better Buildings, Better Business Conference that targets home performance—and our marketing, fundraising, outreach, and business development.</p>
<p><strong>MM:</strong> When you started out, what was your biggest obstacle? How did you overcome it?</p>
<p><strong>MA:</strong> As well-educated as I was, I still didn’t take myself very seriously. I have a large, fun personality and it was easier to play to that than to my brains and accomplishments. A lot of women face the same challenge. We had some changes in the organization and I was put into a more senior leadership role before I felt ready. The responsibility of making our organization successful because so many paychecks depended on it was very motivating to me. I also took on many leadership roles through my volunteer work, chaired a Board of Directors, and started to see my capabilities through my peers’ eyes. Then I felt I had to deliver on those expectations.</p>
<p><strong>MM:</strong> What is the most rewarding thing about your job?</p>
<p><strong>MA:</strong> I feel called to work in sustainability—that’s my vocation. Seventhwave’s workforce is now a majority millennial team, and their energy and collaborative ethos is so refreshing. They have been raised under the shadow of climate change, and they don’t let the bad news get in the way of diving in to solve problems. They fire me up every day. I also Chair the Board of Directors of the U.S. Green Building Council. Volunteer leadership of an organization responsible for so much change at such scale has been the professional privilege of a lifetime.</p>
<p><strong>MM:</strong> In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges for women in this industry?</p>
<p><strong>MA:</strong> Our biggest challenges lie within us. Having confidence, taking ourselves seriously, feeling comfortable directing and delegating others—if we can conquer these things, we have a lot of opportunity. I believe the millennial culture also embraces some of the more “female” leadership values: collaboration, excellent communication skills, follow-up, listening, working for the greater good instead of the individual ego. As the millennials take over, I’m optimistic about the future for women in home performance and in sustainability in general.</p>
<p><strong>MM:</strong> What advice would you give to a woman starting out in the home performance industry?</p>
<p><strong>MA:</strong> Don’t be shy. Speak up, volunteer for leadership positions, pursue promotions, value your own skills and expect that others respect them. Surround yourself with women and men who have the same values, integrity and work ethic that you do and ditch the rest! Focus on doing each task well and following through rather than taking on too much and hoping it will all work out. Forgive yourself. Make time for yourself. Celebrate.</p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><span>- <em><strong>Macie Melendez</strong> is</em> Home Energy<em>'s Associate Editor.</em></span></p>
<p><span>This blog originally appeared on <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/788/nav/blog" target="_blank">www.homeenergy.org</a>.</span></p>The Future of Sustainable Business is Transparenttag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2015-12-08:6069565:BlogPost:1941122015-12-08T15:42:10.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/785.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/785.jpg"></img></a> The idea of business transparency might seem antithetical to success and may frighten some companies. But collaborative efforts across businesses and sectors have shown that the triple-bottom-line benefits of transparency far outweigh the perceived risks. In fact, as more consumers demand proof that the products they buy fulfill the promise of the label, transparency is becoming a key differentiator that sets…</p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/785.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/785.jpg" class="align-left"/></a>The idea of business transparency might seem antithetical to success and may frighten some companies. But collaborative efforts across businesses and sectors have shown that the triple-bottom-line benefits of transparency far outweigh the perceived risks. In fact, as more consumers demand proof that the products they buy fulfill the promise of the label, transparency is becoming a key differentiator that sets successful companies apart.</p>
<p>At Andersen, our drive to improve our processes to the benefit of our customers, employees, and cohorts is evergreen. We know that there is always more we can do to reduce our environmental impact and to bolster quality of life for our customers and communities. The global benefit of this mindset is how—through continuous improvement—we drive progress against our own sustainability goals, as well as help businesses within and outside our industry advance their own sustainability programs.</p>
<p>In our industry, product transparency provides detailed information that helps architects and engineers design and specify to meet the customer’s building goals. Using an integrated, science-based approach, those experts can predict how a building will perform over its life, also providing an understanding of how different products may affect that performance, for better or worse. This kind of information modeling adds a new dimension of understanding how an entire building’s function can hinge on a few fundamental design elements.</p>
<p>That is why we participated with industry peers in developing and publishing the fenestration industry’s first <a href="http://www.iere.org/images/PCRs/C2G-WindowPCRFinal_2015.pdf" target="_blank">Product Category Rule</a>, which provides the guidelines for reporting a product’s environmental impacts over its lifecycle in an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). Recently, we became the first window company to publish an EPD. We’ve also made public our intention to help combat the growing risks of climate change by signing the <a href="http://www.ceres.org/declaration" target="_blank">Ceres Climate Declaration</a> and by setting measurable sustainability goals for the company to meet by 2020.</p>
<p>Transparency in business can seem intimidating at first. There’s a sense of vulnerability woven into the idea of revealing more about the products your company makes—whether customers will still want them, whether competitors will find something they could leverage to their gain, whether you have to change how you do business. </p>
<p>The only path to a more sustainable future is through the collaboration made possible with product transparency today. Transparency will become the operating norm, faster than you may think. The best way to stay ahead of this trend is to embrace it with authenticity, commitment, and accountability.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>- <strong>Eliza Clark</strong> is Director of Sustainability at <a href="http://www.andersencorporation.com/" target="_blank">Andersen Corporation</a>.</em></p>
<p><span>This blog originally appeared on <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/785/nav/blog" target="_blank">www.homeenergy.org</a>. </span></p>My Fall Into The Smart Home, Lazy Lifetag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2015-11-18:6069565:BlogPost:1924522015-11-18T16:51:58.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/777.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/777.jpg"></img></a> Last year I moved into a house that needed some work. So far I’ve replaced the foundation, installed seismic upgrades, added central heat, repainted, and much more. (Anybody know a good fireplace guy?)</p>
<p>Along the way, I’ve been slowly upgrading to smart home technology. I ripped out my old, broken doorbell and added Ring, which detects when people are at my door and sends a video notification to my phone.…</p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/777.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/777.jpg" class="align-left"/></a>Last year I moved into a house that needed some work. So far I’ve replaced the foundation, installed seismic upgrades, added central heat, repainted, and much more. (Anybody know a good fireplace guy?)</p>
<p>Along the way, I’ve been slowly upgrading to smart home technology. I ripped out my old, broken doorbell and added Ring, which detects when people are at my door and sends a video notification to my phone. I took out an old CD/radio combo from circa 1974 that was bolted to a kitchen cabinet and plugged in a couple of Sonos speakers, which let me stream whatever I want anywhere in the house. And as part of that central heat installation I put in a Nest, which lets me manage my heating from my phone.</p>
<p>I was expecting a regular series of headaches. Wi-fi breaking, apps crashing, microchips malfunctioning... the usual technological failures. Instead, my gadgets have worked alarmingly well.</p>
<p>I have noticed only one notable side effect: they’re making me a whole lot lazier.</p>
<p>Consider the Nest. I handed the little box to my furnace guy and he installed it for me. Since then, I occasionally turn down the heat in my house to win a “green leaf” for my outstanding eco-conscious behavior. I also spend approximately 10 seconds reading a monthly email about how much heat I have used recently, to see if I beat my slacker neighbors.</p>
<p>Other than that, I do zero. Plus, I no longer wake up freezing and my gas bill is lower. Win!</p>
<p>The downside is that Nest sets the gold standard for laziness.When my Ring goes off, I’m annoyed at simply having to swipe open my phone—I just want it to work automagically. As for my sound system, the four to seven gestures of activating my phone, finding the Sonos app, searching for an artist, and hitting play now seem downright masochistic.</p>
<p>Technology has always been aimed at freeing up time. Faster, smarter, less hassle. But the smart home has also made us dependent and, undeniably, lazier. </p>
<p>Permit a quick defense of selectively going slow.</p>
<p>In 2008, I <a href="http://stewartbiketrip.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">rode my bike 830 miles across Eastern Europe with my dad</a>. I didn’t bring a computer—and brought an old-fashioned journal. At night, I wrote out my recollections of the day’s journey by hand.</p>
<p>It wasn’t that tough. I wasn’t milking cows or chopping wood. But it made a difference. Because I can’t write by hand as fast as I can type—and because I had no delete button—I thought more about what I was going to write. I took the time to reflect, to ruminate, to add flourishes, and take detours. My prose and my recollections were notably richer.</p>
<p>I found that cutting out technology can be a blessing. Recently, I forced myself to stop using GPS in my neighborhood so that I would actually learn how to get around. I quit ebooks, forcing me to focus read without the option of baseball scores a tap away. I don’t bring my phone into my bedroom (usually) so that I can sleep buzz-free.</p>
<p>I’ll continue to add onto my smart home—accepting recommendations!—and I’m going to do my best to enjoy just how amazing it all is. But moments of slowness have value too.</p>
<p>Just so long as I can still stream a baseball game while I’m ordering food by talking to Siri. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>- Matt Stewart</strong> is a vice president at <a href="http://www.antennagroup.com/" target="_blank">Antenna Group</a>, a PR agency focused on innovative energy and technology companies. He lives in Oakland, CA.</em></p>
<p><span>This blog originally appeared on <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/777/nav/blog" target="_blank">www.homeenergy.org</a>.</span></p>How to Get Started Working as a Full-Time Energy Auditortag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2015-11-18:6069565:BlogPost:1924502015-11-18T16:50:00.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/776.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/776.jpg"></img></a> It is not often clear the path a BPI-certified energy auditor should take, or where exactly the opportunities lie… to buffer existing business, as side work, to work as a full-time energy auditor, or to go out on your own, the opportunities are vast and diverse. Oftentimes we get our energy auditor certification as a kind of back-up plan or to aid a struggling business. Or maybe you attended BPI training as…</p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/776.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/776.jpg" class="align-left"/></a>It is not often clear the path a BPI-certified energy auditor should take, or where exactly the opportunities lie… to buffer existing business, as side work, to work as a full-time energy auditor, or to go out on your own, the opportunities are vast and diverse. Oftentimes we get our energy auditor certification as a kind of back-up plan or to aid a struggling business. Or maybe you attended BPI training as part of the federal grant money and hope to start off slow and learn the ropes from another home performance company. Or maybe you are like me and are all-in, starting your own home performance company from scratch, purchasing your own blower door, and creating your own field sheets for your jobs. Regardless of your goal, one thing is for certain: earning your BPI certification is just the beginning.</p>
<p>​There are three routes you can take if you want to work full time as an energy auditor: work in weatherization, gain experience first by working for someone else, or jump out and see if you can swim. Each path can lead you to the end goal of owning your own business if that is what you want. Let’s say that Tim has his BPI certificate in hand but owns no equipment and has no energy auditing experience. How should he get started?</p>
<h3>Work in Weatherization</h3>
<p>Weatherization work has been around since the ‘70s. It has traditionally been government funded or non-profit operated. Most organizations that do weatherization also are BPI test centers or give their own week-long class. So, how do you land a job with a weatherization group? Because they do a lot of government work, a criminal free background is usually a must. If you take your BPI exam with a weatherization group/BPI test center, it helps to do well on your exam and show the instructor you are a quick learner during the class, and then ask if there are any openings for energy auditors or retrofitters.</p>
<p>Those organizations have a plethora of equipment for energy auditors. Even if you don’t get the job after applying, stay in touch with the auditors and supervisors for the opportunity that something comes up in the future. Relationship building is key here, as I have seen several independent auditors borrow for free or rent blower door equipment from these organizations. If you land a job there, you have a powerful asset behind you with the organization being experts in energy auditing and retrofitting, cranking out high volumes of both each year. The downside is the pay isn’t very good and the homes are limited to low-income housing so you will see a lot of smaller, manufactured homes and unhappy tenants. The fundamentals will be the same no matter what house you go to, but your habits of looking for defects will need to be adjusted when going into larger homes. The upside is that when working in weatherization, you will learn to do everything by the book and not pick up the bad habits of lazy contractors and for-profit crews.</p>
<h3>Gain Experience Working For Another Energy Audit Company</h3>
<p>Playing it safe and getting experience on someone else’s dime has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are:</p>
<ul>
<li>You learn the mistakes of other people without cutting your teeth too bad.</li>
<li>You can gain experience.</li>
</ul>
<p>The disadvantages are:</p>
<ul>
<li>You can pick up bad habits from others.</li>
<li>You may get comfortable and never go out on your own.</li>
<li>You become liable for other’s mistakes.</li>
</ul>
<p>What is the best way to find these kinds of jobs? Search your local utility company website for energy audit programs and rebates along with a Google and Yelp search. They will have a list of contractors who perform home performance. Start contacting them. Some of the companies will be HVAC companies who do energy audits as an add-on. It will be hard to get in with them as a newbie unless you have HVAC experience. Usually these companies take one of their own and train him or her to do audits. You will have better luck going to a solar company and pitching them to do energy audits with you as a lead into solar. Create your own field sheets, report and contract to show as examples and ask them to do a trial with you where you will take their last 20 customers and offer them an energy audit as a thank you for their business. Sign a few of those people up and you’re off! It’s also worth calling other energy auditing companies to see if they are hiring, but I suspect they will mostly want to hire auditors who have some experience.</p>
<h3>Start Your Own Energy Audit Company</h3>
<p>By jumping into the fire right off the bat, you will likely hit more road bumps, but your learning by doing will go off the charts. Nothing compares to doing everything yourself. You learn really quickly what works and what doesn’t and it doesn’t take very long to get it right or you don’t eat.</p>
<p>By going it alone you are also maximizing your financial gain two- to three-fold. You get to keep almost all the money you bring in. If you charge $300 for an audit, that’s almost all yours rather than $100 per audit if you worked for someone else. I say that $300 is almost all yours because, of course, you have expenses. But if you are smart, you aren’t wasting $3,000 relying on a Val Pak direct mail piece but instead are boots to the ground door knocking, making cold calls, and using your network to drum up your first customers. Once you have the first couple in the door, put real effort in building your referral base and warm-lead marketing. Do not go into debt trying a new marketing campaign; you already spent enough on your blower door equipment. I would even skip on the IR camera when you just start off or get the iPhone thermal camera attachment. Going out as an independent energy auditor is also good because you get to experience first-hand all the aspects of the business. “Go lean and go hard” should be your motto.</p>
<p>You get market to your prospects, do the energy audit, sell the upgrades, and even install them all while learning what customers expect at every step along the way. Then, you get to use your feedback to improve the process the second time around and so on. Does showing the zonals on recessed canned lights help you sell the job, but you later learn that there is no energy savings and it is super time intensive on the install side? Then stop showing and talking about your zonal readings on canned lights during your energy audits. Did you learn when selling your upgrades at the kitchen table that homeowners don’t care about going green or reducing their carbon footprint? Then stop using that as a selling point on your website and at networking meetings.</p>
<p>No matter which method you choose to take your home performance career, one constant is the need to practice your butt off. Take zonal readings everywhere in the house, spend some extra time exploring in the attic, and do an extra modeling scenario or two because that’s how you will become a master energy auditor in your region. Dedicate yourself to practicing and asking questions and you’ll soon be a high quality energy auditor with a great reputation.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>- David Byrnes</em></strong><em> advises home performance contractors on growth strategies and runs a home performance company in Arizona. Visit David's blog at <a href="http://www.bpiexamacademy.com/blog" target="_blank">www.BPIExamAcademy.com/blog</a> and subscribe to the Energy Auditor's Newsletter to get monthly tips and marketing advice sent to your inbox.</em></p>
<p><span>This blog originally appeared on <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/776/nav/blog" target="_blank">www.homeenergy.org</a>. </span></p>Green Real Estate Agents Help "Power" Veterans Through Solar in Habitat for Humanity Homestag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2015-11-11:6069565:BlogPost:1921202015-11-11T17:35:54.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/778.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/778.jpg"></img></a> Andy Nelson is the CEO and president of San Diego-based <a href="http://www.willisallen.com/" target="_blank">Willis Allen Real Estate</a>. Joining the firm in 1977 as the youngest team member, Nelson drew on his leadership experience and training as a former naval officer to implement his innovative ideas and became CEO four years later. Nelson continues to grow the business by researching new high-end…</p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/778.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/778.jpg" class="align-left"/></a>Andy Nelson is the CEO and president of San Diego-based <a href="http://www.willisallen.com/" target="_blank">Willis Allen Real Estate</a>. Joining the firm in 1977 as the youngest team member, Nelson drew on his leadership experience and training as a former naval officer to implement his innovative ideas and became CEO four years later. Nelson continues to grow the business by researching new high-end companies throughout the world to partner with and advancing technology and tools to service today’s homeowner. One of these partnerships includes the Operation: Solar for San Diego Troops initiative. </p>
<p>Operation: Solar for San Diego Troops is an initiative set in place to transition veterans to clean and renewable energy by <a href="http://www.gridalternatives.org/sandiego" target="_blank">GRID Alternatives San Diego</a>, a non-profit organization that brings the benefits of solar technology to low-income communities. Willis Allen Real Estate is donating time and a grant to help GRID Alternatives provide energy cost-savings and a source of clean energy to local veterans’ homes recently completed by Habitat for Humanity.</p>
<p>This week, fittingly on Veteran’s Day, the groups will complete a multi-home build in one Lakeside, California neighborhood where four veterans will receive solar power. The event has dozens of volunteers (including local veterans) participating.</p>
<p>We wanted to learn more.</p>
<p><strong>Macie Melendez: </strong>Why did Willis Allen Real Estate decide to get involved with this initiative?</p>
<p><strong>Andy Nelson:</strong> We are passionate about this project. As a veteran myself, I’m honored to be a part of something that gives back to those who’ve served. We’ve just designated 30 agents as ‘green’ meaning they are qualified to assist both buyers and sellers in making environmentally friendly decisions about their homes. This is our way of walking the walk, not just talking the talk. We’re committed to making our community more environmentally conscious and look forward to maintaining a relationship with GRID Alternatives for future builds.</p>
<p><strong>MM: </strong>How will veterans benefit from receiving solar power?</p>
<p><strong>AN: </strong>The <a href="http://www.voa.org/pdf_files/a-study-of-volunteers-of-america-service-providers-and-veteran-clients" target="_blank">economic issues</a> faced by veterans are more significant than the general population. By providing a large grant, as well as fundraising and volunteering, Willis Allen Real Estate aims to reduce the cost of housing for veterans through solar power, which can save the average family 60 to 85% of their monthly electric bill based on current rates. Also, factoring in the benefits of cleaner air and the reduction of carbon emissions, there are additional economic benefits with potentially lower health care costs. This offers an economic benefit to local San Diego veterans, and will help lead the city toward a brighter environmental future through solar energy. Willis Allen Real Estate is helping GRID Alternatives provide these men and women that have served our country the ability to have a sense of pride in their homes and give them the opportunity to help make San Diego a greener place by taking part in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WillisAllenRealEstate/videos/vb.83810906491/10153231343506492/?type=2&amp;theater" target="_blank">actual installation</a> of the solar panels on their homes. It’s really our way—and our time—to serve those who served us.</p>
<p><strong>MM:</strong> How many homes has this initiative built to date?</p>
<p><strong>AN:</strong> Operation: Solar for San Diego Troops is a continuation of GRID Alternative San Diego’s work to provide solar energy to low income veterans and military families. This year alone, the non-profit has provided 10 veteran families in San Diego County with solar power.</p>
<p><strong>MM:</strong> How much energy has the program saved through solar power?</p>
<p><strong>AN: </strong>An average solar system installed by GRID Alternatives is 3kw. Over 25 years, that’s 141,957 kilowatts of power generated, saving $32,284 per system installed.</p>
<p><strong>MM: </strong>Can any veteran be nominated to receive solar panels?</p>
<p><strong>AN:</strong> Yes. Individuals can nominate a veteran who will benefit by sending their name and a brief story to <a href="mailto:operationsolar@gridalternatives.org" target="_blank">operationsolar@gridalternatives.org</a>. </p>
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<p><span>- Macie Melendez is <em>Home Energy</em>'s associate editor. This blog originally appeared on <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/778/nav/blog" target="_blank">www.homeenergy.org</a>.</span></p>The Real Women of Home Performance: Mina Agarabitag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2015-11-11:6069565:BlogPost:1921222015-11-11T17:30:00.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/766.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/766.jpg"></img></a> Mina Agarabi is the Principal Mechanical Engineer at Agarabi Engineering PLLC, a consulting firm focused on operations and maintenance and energy efficiency. Prior to establishing her firm, she conducted light commercial and residential energy assessments and oversaw the installation of numerous energy-efficiency projects at Association for Energy Affordability and Steven Winter Associates. Agarabi has several…</p>
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/766.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/766.jpg" class="align-left"/></a>Mina Agarabi is the Principal Mechanical Engineer at Agarabi Engineering PLLC, a consulting firm focused on operations and maintenance and energy efficiency. Prior to establishing her firm, she conducted light commercial and residential energy assessments and oversaw the installation of numerous energy-efficiency projects at Association for Energy Affordability and Steven Winter Associates. Agarabi has several years of experience troubleshooting, optimizing, and designing both steam and hydronic heating systems in large multifamily buildings.</p>
<p><strong>Macie Melendez:</strong> How did you get started in the home performance industry?</p>
<p><strong>Mina Agarabi:</strong> After grad school I took a job as an engineer in a university biomedical research lab, but soon realized I was more passionate about helping people reduce their impact on the Earth. My initial transition away from biomedical work was a step in the right direction, but writing grants was unsatisfying and the instability of funding and frequent restructuring within my new organization was not for me.</p>
<p>Fortunately, a mentor suggested I enroll in the BPI building analyst training course (it helped that NYSERDA was willing to pay for most of the tuition if I passed). I enjoyed the course, met a lot of interesting contractors, engineers and architects, and was encouraged to move to the next level: BPI building envelope training. My active participation in that class and passion for the subject somehow came to the attention of the staff at the Association for Energy Affordability. Shortly after completing the course I was offered a job as an entry-level energy auditor.</p>
<p><strong>MM:</strong> How has your career evolved?</p>
<p><strong>MA: </strong>I started as a single-family energy auditor. I also spent a lot of my own time educating colleagues about recycling and composting. As I gained technical and field experience, I was asked to audit multifamily buildings. My engineering background made it much easier for me to grasp the technical material. At first I took a cookie-cutter approach; most recommendations had already been decided by others. I was just there to be the conduit to the incentive money.</p>
<p>This did not sit well with me. I believed it was important to verify the savings and payback of my recommendations. It also became clear to me that it was essential to engage a building's ownership, management and facility staff during the audit—without their buy-in my reports would either sit and collect dust or, worse, be handed to a contractor without detailed specifications.</p>
<p>Currently, I prefer to work on projects where upgrading operations and maintenance and ongoing commissioning are the main focus and energy assessments are secondary. Advanced technology provides limited benefit if the needs of the facility staff are ignored or if the equipment does not operate as designed.</p>
<p><strong>MM:</strong> When you started out, what was your biggest obstacle? How did you overcome it?</p>
<p><strong>MA:</strong> It was really difficult to earn the respect of senior colleagues because I was young and a woman. I decided to go for a Professional Engineering license (P.E.) as a way of proving myself. I still encounter sexism in my work, but the P.E. has definitely helped me gain respect. It's not like you can sleep your way to a P.E.</p>
<p><strong>MM:</strong> What is the most rewarding thing about your job?</p>
<p><strong>MA:</strong> Knowing that I am slowly improving our environment to protect future generations and helping to empower the community to make better energy consumption decisions. I find it very rewarding to see facilities staff apply knowledge I have provided them and then improve upon it to ensure optimal building performance. When I troubleshoot mechanical systems I make every effort to engage the facilities staff and guide them to discover the cause of the problems on their own.</p>
<p><strong>MM:</strong> In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges for women in this industry?</p>
<p><strong>MA:</strong> A lack of mentors for newcomers and resistance to social change. You know, people don’t really ‘picture’ women in the industry. And people automatically assume you’re not ‘technical’ enough to answer their questions. Basically, battling peoples’ perceptions.</p>
<p><strong>MM:</strong> What advice would you give to a woman starting out in the home performance industry?</p>
<p><strong>MA:</strong> Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Spend as much time in the field as you can. You don't need to know everything in order to take on a new project—take risks and go outside your comfort zone. Know your worth and have confidence in yourself.</p>
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<p><span>- Macie Melendez is <em>Home Energy</em>'s associate editor. This blog originally appeared on <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/nav/blog/id/766" target="_blank">www.homeenergy.org</a>. </span></p>
<p><a href="//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/"></a></p>VW Isn't the Only One That Circumventstag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2015-11-02:6069565:BlogPost:1914202015-11-02T18:04:31.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="//c2.staticflickr.com/6/5643/22658962366_36d15f2b02_n.jpg"></img></a> The outrage against Volkswagen (VW) is justified, but let’s not forget that other manufacturers—a lot of manufacturers—have been circumventing energy and emissions tests for decades. Here are a few of my own experiences.</p>
<p>Cadillac was circumventing emissions test procedures 20 years before VW. Cadillac’s engineers faced the same dilemma: How do they comply with emissions control requirements without sacrificing performance? Not surprisingly, they solved…</p>
<p><a target="_blank"><img src="//c2.staticflickr.com/6/5643/22658962366_36d15f2b02_n.jpg" class="align-left"/></a>The outrage against Volkswagen (VW) is justified, but let’s not forget that other manufacturers—a lot of manufacturers—have been circumventing energy and emissions tests for decades. Here are a few of my own experiences.</p>
<p>Cadillac was circumventing emissions test procedures 20 years before VW. Cadillac’s engineers faced the same dilemma: How do they comply with emissions control requirements without sacrificing performance? Not surprisingly, they solved the problem with the same strategy as VW; that is, bypass the emissions control devices when the cars were on the road. Cars were simpler devices then, so Cadillac arranged that whenever either the radio or air conditioner was switched on (two features not operated during the lab test), the emission control was bypassed. The EPA wasn’t amused and fined Cadillac over $40 million. Then EPA discovered diesel engine manufacturers doing something similar a few years later. This time EPA fined the manufacturers $1 billion. It also established regulations prohibiting manufacturers from ever bypassing the emissions control devices. That should have been the end of the story. But, as the VW affair shows, it continues.</p>
<p>Mini-split air conditioners are widely sold in Japan and elsewhere in East Asia. They had impressive efficiencies, which continued to increase. How did they do it? Great designs explained part of their performance, but circumvention was the other reason. A friend working at a large Japanese air-conditioning company showed me the flow chart of the controls logic for a mini-split AC. (The document was marked “confidential” in Japanese.) The flow chart clearly showed the sequence of logical steps used to determine if the machine was being prepared for tests of its energy efficiency—such as temperatures, settings, persistence of temperatures—and the logical branch if the unit was being tested. In that case, it switched to a unique operating mode that led to more efficient operation, relying more on unacceptably noisy fans. An Australian regulator told me that practically every Japanese and Korean model tested had this kind of logic. When I raised this issue with the head Japanese regulator several years ago, he expressed total ignorance of it.</p>
<p>Japanese refrigerator manufacturers were notoriously clever at circumventing—so good that laboratory consumption fell to less than half of in-home consumption. Embarrassed (and angry) regulators finally rejiggered the test procedure to bring the laboratory test values down to reality. Consumers were then confronted with transitional energy labels displaying both “old” and “new” consumptions that differed by 50%.VW recently got caught cheating on pollution emissions tests in the U.S., but it’s not the only major manufacturer to cheat the system. (Kintaiyo)</p>
<p>loser to home, we had the case of LG refrigerators circumventing test procedures to achieve an energy consumption low enough to qualify for Energy Star. Competitors noticed almost immediately and quietly raised the issue with DOE. I heard about it and wondered why DOE did nothing. I twice informally raised this matter with the Korean officials responsible for regulating LG appliances, warning them of the potential consequences. In fact, nothing happened until <em>Consumer Reports</em> published an exposé. You may be amused to learn that the settlement was partly dictated by telephone from a crowded restaurant in Brussels—between dessert and coffee—and it’s no coincidence that the U.S. settlement resembles that between the Australian government and LG.</p>
<p>With a beer in hand, I could tell many more stories like these. But the point is, everybody circumvents: the Germans, the Japanese, the Koreans, the Chinese, and yes, the Americans (we might have invented it!).</p>
<p>Will circumvention always be with us? I fear yes. However, for energy (and perhaps emissions), we have new solutions. One is energy reporting. More and more appliances are connected to the Internet. They can measure their own electricity use and “report” it to a central entity. Indeed, some do this already. Why not make energy reporting part of future labeling plans? That way consumers will be able to see both laboratory and actual energy consumption. Another requirement should be transparent software. These measures won’t eliminate circumvention, but they may offer a greater degree of confidence and perhaps even peace of mind. In the end, however, the only effective strategy is vigilance by those responsible for enforcing regulations for energy efficiency and emissions.</p>
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<p class="authorbox faintLightBlueBG"><strong>- Alan Meier</strong><em> is Senior Executive Editor of</em> Home Energy<em>.</em></p>
<p class="authorbox faintLightBlueBG"><em>This editorial originally appeared in the <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/article/magazine/145/nav/issues/id/2085" target="_blank">Nov/Dec issue</a> of</em> Home Energy <em>magazine.</em></p>Stevens Institute of Technology Wins Solar Decathlon 2015tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2015-10-21:6069565:BlogPost:1902562015-10-21T17:29:37.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/762.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/762.jpg"></img></a> <a href="http://www.solardecathlon.gov/2015/competition-team-stevens.html" target="_blank">Stevens Institute of Technology </a>won top honors overall at the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2015 by designing, building, and operating the most cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive solar powered house.…</p>
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<p><a href="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/762.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://homeenergy.org/images/blog/762.jpg" class="align-left"/></a><a href="http://www.solardecathlon.gov/2015/competition-team-stevens.html" target="_blank">Stevens Institute of Technology </a>won top honors overall at the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2015 by designing, building, and operating the most cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive solar powered house.</p>
<div class="entry"><p><a href="http://www.solardecathlon.gov/2015/competition-team-u-at-buffalo.html" target="_blank">University at Buffalo, The State University of New York</a>, took second place followed by <a href="http://www.solardecathlon.gov/2015/competition-team-cal-poly.html" target="_blank">California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo</a>, in third place.</p>
<p>Stevens’ win comes as no surprise to followers of the competition, as the team took first place in four of five juried contests and maintained the lead position in the competition over the last several days. Stevens Institute of Technology previously competed in <a href="http://www.solardecathlon.gov/past/2011/" target="_blank">Solar Decathlon 2011 </a>and <a href="http://www.solardecathlon.gov/past/2013/" target="_blank">Solar Decathlon 2013</a>.</p>
<div id="attachment_4250" class="wp-caption aligncenter">At the awards ceremony this past weekend, Energy Department Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Dr. David Danielson congratulated all decathletes on their accomplishments during the 2015 competition.</div>
<p>“On behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy, thank you to each inspiring student competitor,” said Danielson. “Your hard work makes this unique competition possible. The homes you built demonstrate how affordable, renewable, and energy-saving products available today can cut energy bills, reduce pollution, and protect our climate. You have shown the skills and dedication necessary to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency throughout our economy in the decades to come.”</p>
<p>Announcement of the overall winners followed exciting results of the Engineering Contest, in which Stevens took first place with a score of 93 of 100 possible points. Close behind with 92 points for second place was the hometown favorite Team Orange County (University of California, Irvine; Chapman University; Irvine Valley College; and Saddleback College). Texas/Germany (The University of Texas at Austin and Technische Universitaet Muenchen) took third place with 91 points.</p>
<p>Full details about these results, scores, and standings are available <a href="http://www.solardecathlon.gov/2015/competition-scores-communications.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Carol Laurie</strong> is the communications manager for the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. This blog originally appeared on <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/nav/blog/id/762" target="_blank">www.homeenergy.org</a>.</em></p>
</div>Seaming with Industrial Tape: Q&A with Risa Edelsteintag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2015-10-21:6069565:BlogPost:1902542015-10-21T17:27:40.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a href="http://www.echotape.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Foil_Facing-360x240.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" height="180" src="http://www.echotape.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Foil_Facing-360x240.jpg" width="270"></img></a> Recently we got the opportunity to speak with Risa Edelstein, an expert on barrier seaming with adhesive tape. Edelstein is one of the executives at <a href="http://www.echotape.com/" target="_blank">ECHOtape</a>, a worldwide provider of pressure sensitive industrial tape.</p>
<p>Tape works with insulation systems as a complement for energy efficiency. It is an accessory product…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.echotape.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Foil_Facing-360x240.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.echotape.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Foil_Facing-360x240.jpg" class="align-left" width="270" height="180"/></a>Recently we got the opportunity to speak with Risa Edelstein, an expert on barrier seaming with adhesive tape. Edelstein is one of the executives at <a href="http://www.echotape.com/" target="_blank">ECHOtape</a>, a worldwide provider of pressure sensitive industrial tape.</p>
<p>Tape works with insulation systems as a complement for energy efficiency. It is an accessory product that can be used to seam insulation such as fiberglass batts, rigid board, polyiso, etc. In the past, tapes were used sparingly on joists and viewed as a temporary fix or cheap solution. Today’s tapes have higher value and more functionality to both enhance building airtightness (seaming tape) and prevent water intrusion (flashing tapes).</p>
<h2>Q&amp;A with Risa Edelstein</h2>
<p><strong>Macie Melendez: Tell me a bit more about the background of ECHOtape’s 40 years in the business.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Risa Edelstein: </strong>Serving industries across North America, including manufacturing, building and construction, paper mills and paper converters, ECHOtape exclusively focuses on pressure sensitive tape by bringing solutions to its customers. We’ve got distribution centers across North America and an experienced technical sales team. ECHOtape is also family-owned and operated.</p>
<p><strong>MM: How many types of tape does ECHOtape manufacture and how are they used?</strong></p>
<p><strong>RE:</strong> ECHOtape customizes their tape for each application, with needs varying for each industry.</p>
<p>ECHOtape’s product line includes insulation tapes, duct tape, cloth tape, double-sided tape, electrical tape, flatback, foam tape, foil tape, masking tape, overlaminate tape, packaging tape, protective tape, repulpable tape, tear tape, vinyl tape, sheathing tape, housewrap tape, flashing tape, acrylic tape, high performance tape, construction tape, seaming tape, sealing tape, and mounting tape.</p>
<p><strong>MM: You mentioned that the seaming practice is growing among insulation professionals—can you elaborate?</strong></p>
<p><strong>RE:</strong> In Canada and Europe, every single building is seamed with insulation tape as the construction industry in these markets has employed such tactics for years.</p>
<p>Areas prone to high amounts of moisture, like the Southeast United States, are beginning to adopt this practice in an effort to become more ‘green,’ but this is also important in colder climates. The more sustainable and eco-friendly our industry and the industries we affect become, the more air sealing will be adopted as common practice, requiring the necessary products to do so.</p>
<p>The usage rate for industrial tapes on job sites is growing by 6 to 7% annually, outpacing overall construction industry growth, which is approximately 3 to 5%. New residential tape use will increase the fastest due to code compliance, and should see growth in the double digits.</p>
<p>There are three primary drivers to the increased usage of tapes on job sites. The first is more stringent codes (increased building envelope requirements). The second is improved tape technology, and the third is heightened awareness by builders, contractors, and building scientists. </p>
<p>Tapes will continue to penetrate the market as more attention is being paid to building performance and there is more demand for better air sealing.</p>
<p><strong>MM: What are the benefits of using tape for sealing purposes?</strong></p>
<p><strong>RE:</strong> The primary benefits of the building tapes used today are air control, moisture control, and protection of finished materials such as windows, appliances, and hardware. Sealing tape is very easy to use and inexpensive when compared to other building materials typically being used in the construction industry.</p>
<p>When there is uncontrolled air movement from outside to inside (and vice versa), there is an increased risk for building failure or lackluster performance. Moisture in any form is a hazard to a building. Tapes, such as flashing, allow for superior moisture control as long as they are installed properly. Tapes are easy to handle and install and can even help make up for the decrease in skilled tradesmen on job sites.</p>
<p>Effective air sealing depends on both the materials being used and the conditions of the area. Contractors can match the ideal tape to the conditions of each project.</p>
<p><strong>MM: What’s the biggest obstacle that ECHOtape faces in the insulation industry today?</strong></p>
<p><strong>RE:</strong> Our biggest obstacle is the fact that ‘seaming’ is not a common practice among professionals. The benefits are evident, but until skilled tradesmen and other insulation professionals adopt this as common practice, we will continue to inform and push for more eco-friendly and efficient means of insulation.</p>
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<p><em>This blog originally appeared on <a href="http://homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/750/nav/blog" target="_blank">www.homeenergy.org.</a> </em></p>Twenty-First-Century Energy Efficiency—with Carbon on Our Mindstag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2015-09-02:6069565:BlogPost:1869212015-09-02T22:23:17.000ZHome Energy Magazinehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/HomeEnergyMagazine
<p><a target="_blank"><img class="align-left" height="182" src="//c1.staticflickr.com/1/623/20825362930_36a1f24982_c.jpg" width="273"></img></a> After the first oil embargo, in 1973, our nation recognized the need to save energy in a coordinated way. It made sense to designate energy utilities to coordinate energy-saving activities in buildings, because nobody had better access to the customer and to key information about the customer. This led to three decades of utility-managed energy conservation programs. Many succeeded. Some did not.</p>
<p>But times change. Today, there’s a new imperative:…</p>
<p><a target="_blank"><img src="//c1.staticflickr.com/1/623/20825362930_36a1f24982_c.jpg" class="align-left" width="273" height="182"/></a>After the first oil embargo, in 1973, our nation recognized the need to save energy in a coordinated way. It made sense to designate energy utilities to coordinate energy-saving activities in buildings, because nobody had better access to the customer and to key information about the customer. This led to three decades of utility-managed energy conservation programs. Many succeeded. Some did not.</p>
<p>But times change. Today, there’s a new imperative: reducing carbon emissions. This imperative comes not so much from the utilities and their regulators as from state, federal, and even local initiatives. And utilities are no longer the only entities well positioned to reach customers. Firms like Nest and Solar City arguably collect more data and know more about their customers’ energy use than any utility. Likewise, new programs, such as PACE, do not rely upon utility companies.</p>
<p>We need new ways to encourage utilities, builders, and consumers—the whole energy delivery and consumption chain—to achieve the ultimate goal: not just to increase efficiency, but to lower total carbon emissions. This means promoting all sorts of actions that were previously off the table. And it means involving players who are not at the table today. This very different approach might also mean offering incentives for smaller homes, promoting urban planning that reduces dependence on fossil-fueled transport, encouraging the construction of a neighborhood swimming pool instead of a swimming pool in each backyard, or even installing PV when saving energy through retrofits is especially difficult. These are controversial examples, but they illustrate the shift from a 20th-century focus on improving the energy efficiency of a single device, to a 21st-century focus on reducing overall carbon emissions.</p>
<p>Is the energy efficiency industry prepared for the low-carbon era? Probably not today, but that isn’t a reason not to get started. This paradigm shift actually creates huge new business opportunities. It rewards whole-home performance rather than just a more-efficient heating system, lightbulb, or heat pump water heater. Measuring progress should become easier, too, because the metric is absolute—savings in whole-house energy consumption, not savings from just one higher-efficiency appliance.</p>
<p>Achieving these 21st-century goals won’t be easy or quick, but it’s time to make those goals more attractive to everybody involved.</p>
<p></p>
<p>- Alan Meier and Dian Grueneich</p>
<p class="authorbox faintLightBlueBG"><strong>Alan Meier</strong><em> is Senior Executive Editor of</em> Home Energy <em>and</em> <strong>Dian Grueneich </strong><em>is a Senior Research Scholar with Stanford University’s Precourt Energy Efficiency Center.</em></p>
<p><span>This editorial originally appeared in <em><a href="http://www.homeenergy.org/show/article/id/2071/nav/editorials" target="_blank">Home Energy magazine</a></em>.</span></p>